AR are the 


AMIS Fi eerste eng eee 


Speer 





EEG ee 


\O-47 j 
— Cy 
cis . LY 
iy 








TREATISE 


ON 


POMESTIC ECONOMY, 


FOR THE USE OF 


YOUNG LADIES AT HOME, 


AND 


AT -SCHOOL 


BY MISS CATHERINE E. BEECHER. 


tee 


REVISED EDITION, 
WITH NUMEROUS ADDITIONS AND ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS 


NEW YORK: 


HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 
82 CLIFF STREET, 


1851. 














TO 
AMERICAN MOTHERS, 


whose intelligence and virtues have inspired admira- 
tion and respect, whose experience has furnished many 
valuable suggestions, in this work, whose approbation 
will be highly valued, and whose influence, in promoting 
the object aimed at, is respectfully solicited, this work 


is dedicated, by their friend and countrywoman, 


THE AUTHOR. 








PREFACE 


TO THE THIRD EDITION 


Tue author-of this work was led to attempt it, by dis- 


_ overing, in her extensive travels, the deplorable sufferings 


of multitudes of young wives.and mothers, from the com- 
bined influence of poor health, poor domestics, and a.defect- 
ave domestic education. The number of young women 
whose health is crushed, ere the first few years of married 
life are past, would seem incredible to.one who has not in- 
vestigated this subject, and.it would be vain to attempt to 
depict the sorrow, discouragement, and distress experien- 
ced in most families where the wife and. mother is a perpet- 
ual invalid. 

The writer became early convinced that this evil results 
mainly from the fact, that young girls, especially in the 
more wealthy classes, are not trained for their profession. 
In early life, they go through a course of school. training 
which results in great debility of constitution, while, at the 
same time, their physical and domestic education is almost 
wholly neglected. . Thus they enter on their most arduous 
and sacred duties so inexperienced and uninformed, and 
with so little muscular and nervous strength, that probably 
there is not one chance in ten, that young women of the 
present day, will pass through the first years of married life 
without such prostration of health and spirits as makes life 
a burden to themselves, and, it is to be feared, such as se- 
riously interrupts the confidence and happiness of .married 
life. 
The measure which, more than any other, would tend te 
remedy this evil, would be to place domestic economy on an 





ay hee ae practically, but as a science as ae ‘so 
as political economy or moral science, or any other branch 
of study ; because it embraces. knowledge, which will be 


needed by young women at all times and in all places; * ‘4 
because this science can never be properly taught until it~ 


is made a branch of study ; and because this method will | 
secure a dignity and importance in the estimation of young 
girls; which can never be accorded while they perceive 


their teachers and parents practically attaching more value 
to every other department of science than this. When — 


young. ladies are taught the construction of their own bod- 
ies, and all the causes in domestic life which tend to weak- 
en the constitution ; when they are taught rightly to. ap- 
preciate and learn ‘the most convenient and economical 
modes of performing’ all family duties, and of cep ee 
time and money ; and when they perceive the true estimate - 
accorded to these things by teachers. and friends, the grand. 


‘cause of this evil will be removed. Women will be train- 


ed to secure, as of first importance, a strong and healthy 
constitution, and all those rules of thrift and —— that 
will make domestic duty easy and pleasant. i). Re 

_ To promote this object, the writer prepared this volume 
as a text-book for female schools. It has been’ examined — 


by the Massachusetts Board of Education, and been deem- _ 


ed worthy by them to be admitted as a ly im of the Massa- 
chusetts School Library. 


It has also been adopted as a text-book in some of our 


largest and most popular female schools, both at the East i 


ff 
5) 


and West. ~ 


The following, from the pen of Mr. George B. Emmer- > 
éon, one of the most popular and successful teachers in our aon 
country, who has introduced this work as a text-book in 


4 





PREFACE. qT 





hie own school, will exhibit the opinion of one who has 
‘formed his jhdginant from er in the? use a the 
work : 

_ “Tt may be ened that sid oitrike cannot be taught 
by books. Why not? Why may not the structure of the 
human body, and the laws of health deduced therefrom, 
be as well taught asthe laws of natural philosophy? Why 
are not the application of these laws to the management 
of infants and young children as important to a woman 
as the application of the rules of arithmetic to the extrac- 
tion of the cube root? Why may not the properties of the 
atmosphere be explained, in reference to the proper venti- 
lation of rooms, or exercise in the open air, as properly as 
to the burning of steel or sodium ? \‘y ‘is not the human 
skeleton as curious and interesting as t.« air-pump; and 
the action of the brain, as the action of a steam-engine ? 
Why may not the healthiness of different kinds of food and 
drink, the proper modes of cooking, and the rules in refer- 
ence to the modes and times of taking them, be discussed 
as properly as rules of grammar, or facts in history? Are 
not the principles that should regulate clothing, the rules 
of cleanliness, tht advantages of early rising and domestic 
exercise, as readily communicated as the principles of min- 
eralogy, or rules of syntax? Are not the rules of Jesus 
Christ, applied to refine domestic manners and preserve a 
good temper, as important as the abstract principles of eth- 
ics, as taught by Paley, Wayland, or Jouffroy ? May not 
the advantages of neatness, system, and order, be as well 
illustrated in showing how they contribute to the happiness 
of a family, as by showing how they add beauty toa copy- 
book, or a portfolio of drawings? Would not a teacher 
be as well employed in teaching the rules of economy, in 
regard to time and expenses, or in regard to dispensing 
zharity, as in teaching doutie, or single entry in book-keep- 









ing? _ Are not the principles that should guide in C 
ing a house; and in warming and ventilating it prope 
important to young girls as the principles of the Atheni 
Commonwealth, or the rules of Roman tactics ? ‘Is'it ‘not 
as important that children should be taught the dangers: to 
the mental faculties, when over-excited on the one’ hail, 
or left unoccupied’on the other, as to teach them the con=- 
flicting theories of political economy, or the speculations of Hy 
metaphysicians? ‘For ourselves, we have always found 
children, especially girls, peculiarly ready to listen to what — 
they saw would prepare them for future duties. The truth, 
that education should ‘be @ preparation for actual, real life, — 
has the greatest force with children. ‘The constantly-recur- 
ring inquiry, ‘ What will be the use of this study ? is ‘al- 
- ways satisfied by showing, that it will: prepare for any duty, | 
relation, or office which, in the natural course of — Coa 
will be likely to come. pron, Gee 
— © We think this book extremely well suited to be’ sei | 
as a text-book in schools for young ladies, and many chap-- 
ters are well adapted for a pees book’ for children | of 
both sexes.” i} 

To this the writer would ‘add the testimony of ‘a sual 
who has used ‘this work with ‘several classes of young gitls 
and young ladies. She remarked that she ‘had ‘never — 
known a school-book that awakened more interest, and that — % 
some young girls would learn a lesson in this ‘when they — rs 
would study nothing else. She remarked, also; that when 
reciting the chapter on the construction of houses, they be- 
came greatly interested in inventing plans of their ‘own, 
which gave an opportunity to the teacher to point out dif- 
ficulties and defects. Had this part of domestic economy 
been taught in schools, our Jand would not be so defaced 
with awkward, misshapen, inconvenient, and, at the same 
time, needlessly expensive houses, as it now is. TEE 





PREFACE. 9 


- Although the writer was trained to the care of children, | 


and to perform all branches of domestic duty, by some of 


the best of housekeepers, much in these pages is offered, 
not as the result of her own experience, but as what has 


obtained the approbation of some of the most judicious 


mothers and housekeepers in the nation. The articles on 
Physiology and Hygiene, and those on horticulture, were 
derived from standard works on these subjects, and are 
sanctioned by the highest authorities. 

Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt Book is another 
work prepared by the author of the Domestic Economy, 
in connexion with several experienced housekeepers, and 
is designed for a supplement to this work. On pages 354, 
355*, and 356* will be found the Preface and Analysis of 
that work, the two books being designed for a complete 
course of instructions on every department of Domestic 
Economy. 

The copyright interest in these two works is held by a 
board of gentlemen appointed for the purpose, who, after 
paying a moderate compensation to the author for the time 
and labour spent in preparing these works, will employ all 
the remainder ‘paid over by the publishers, to aid in edu- 
cating and locating such female teachers as wish to be em- 
ployed in those portions of our country, which are most 
destitute of schools. ‘ 

The contract with the publisher provides that the pub- 
lisher shall guaranty the sales and thus secure against 
any losses for bad debts, for which he shall receive five 
per cent. He shall charge twenty per cent. for commis- 
sions paid to retailers, and also the expenses of printing, 
paper, and binding, at the current market prices, and make 
no other charges. The net profits thus determined are 
then to be divided equally, the publishers taking one half, 


~ and paying the other half to the board above mentioned 


, = va! a 

3 se (ghee: f 
airs rh 2 awk f | 
= Goon : iF ey 


é 


i ‘ ey 


11 ewe 








PREFACE, ee ae ° ° ® ° e e * ° e ° ° e ° ° < ‘ 


_CHAPTER 1. 


a 


wy - PLCULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 


American Women should feel a peculiar Interest in Democratic 
Institutions. The Maxim of our Civil Institutions. Its Ilden- 

+ tity with the main Principle of Christianity. Relations involv- 
, ing Subordination ; why they are needful. Examples. How 
these Relations are decided in a Democracy. What decides 

the Equity of any Law or Institution. The Principle of Aris- 
tocracy. The Tendency of Democracy in Respect to the Inter- 

ests of Women. Illustrated in the United States. Testimony 

of De Tocqueville. Miss Martineau’s Misrepresentations. In 

what Respects are Women subordinate? and why? Wherein 

are they equal or superior in Influence? and how are they 
placed by Courtesy? How can American Women rectify any 

real Disadvantages involved in our Civil Institutions ? Opinion 

of De Tocqueville as to the Influence and Example of Ameri- 

' can Democracy. Responsibilities involved in this View, espe: 
cially those of American Women, . . . .°. . - 5 3 + 


CHAPTER IL. 
DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN. 


A Law of Moral Action to be noted. Its Application. Consid- 
erations to be borne in Mind, in appreciating. peculiar Trials. 
Application’ to American Women. Difference between this 

and Aristocratic Countries. How this affects the Interests of 
American Women. Effect of Wealth, in this Country, on Do- 
mestic Service. Effects on the Domestic Comfort of Women. 
Second peculiar Trial of American Women. Extent of this 
Evil. The Writer’s Observation.on this Point. Effects on the 
Anticipations of Mothers and Daughters. Infrequency of: 
Healthful. Women in the Wealthy Classes. Causes which op- 
erate to undermine the Female Constitution. Excitement of 
Mind. Course of Intellectual Training. Taxation, ‘n Domes- 
tic Life, of American Mothers and Housekeepers, Exercise | 









and Fresh Air needful to balance Mental Excitement. Dr 
in American, compared with English, Customs, in this Res¢ 

Difference in the Health and Youthfulness of Appearance be-_ 

tween English and American Mothers. Liabilities of Ameri- 


eed pe xo 2% 


can Women to the uncommon Exposures of a New Country 
Remarks of De Tocqueville and the Writer on this Point, . 34 


CHAPTER Ill... 


Pe oe 


REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES, = 8 


First Remedy suggested. Obligations of Wealthy Ladies on this | ae “4 
Point. How a Dearth of Domestics may prove a Blessimg. — 


Second Remedy. Domestic Economy should be taught m — 

: Schools. Third Remedy. .Reasons for endowing Colleges — 
4 and Professional Schools. Similar Reasons exist for endowing 
Female Institutions. Present Evils in conducting Female Ed- 
ucation. A Sketch of a Model Female Institution. Accom- 
modations provided. Mode of securing Exercise to Pupils. — 
Objections to this answered. Calisthenics. Course of  Intel- 
ctual Discipline adopted. Mode of Division of Labor adopt- _ 
ed. Example of [linois in Regard to Female Education. - 
“conomy of Health and Time secured by such Institutions. — 
Plan suggested for the Early Education of Young Girls. Last 


Remedy suggested, fee 2 le de we SGU ee 


CHAPTEROTV.: uo) a 
ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY. _ 


-Mpediment to making Domestic Economy a Study at School. _ 
First Reason why it should be so made. State of Domestic 
Service precarious. Second Reason. Examples illustrating. — 
Third Reason. Questions asked. First Objection; how an- 
swered. Next Objection; how answered. Next Objection, — 


how answered. Iast Reagony(' 2) .2. «2 1. 4 (on i: 


CHAPTER V. 


; ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 

amportance of a Knowledge of the Laws of Health, and of the ~ 
Human System, to Females. Construction of the Human — 
frame. Bowers; their Structure, Design, and Use. Engray- — 
mg and Description. Spinal Column. Engravings of Verte- — 

_ Ive. Exercise of the Bones. Muscties; their Constitution, 
‘Use, and Connection with the Bones. Engraving and Descrip — 
tion. Operation of Muscles. Nervzs; their Use. Spinal — . 
Column. Engravings and Descriptions. Distortions cf the 
Spine. Kngravings and Descriptions. Bioop-Vessrets; their 
Object. Engravings and Descriptions: The Heart, and its  _ 
Connection with the System. Engravings and Descriptions. 








ue a he 


-  Oreans or Dicrstion anv Resprration. Engraving and 


Description. Process of Digestion. Circulation of the Blood. 
Process of Respiration. Necessity of Pure Air. Tue Sxin 


Process of Perspiration.- Insensible Perspiration. Heat of the ~ 


Body. Absorbents. Importance of frequent Ablutions and 


Change of Garments. Follicles of Oily Matter in the Skin. 


Nerves of Feeling,» . ... i 


CHAPTER VI. 


ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 


Responsibility of a Housekeeper in Regard to Health and Fooa. 


The most fruitful Cause of Disease. Gastric Juice; how pro- 
portioned. Hunger the Natural Guide as to Quantity of Food. 
A Benevolent Provision ; how perverted, and its Effects. A 
Morbid Appetite, how caused. Effects of too much Food in 
the Stomach. Duty of a Housekeeper in Reference to this. 
Proper Time for taking Food. Peristaltic Motion. Need of 
Rest to the Muscles of the Stomach. Time necessary between 
each Meal. Exceptions of hard Laborers and active Children. 
Exercise ; its Effect on all parts of the Body. How it produces, 
Munger. What is to be done by those who have lost the Guid- 
ance of Hunger in regulating the Amount of Food. On Qual- 
ity of Food.. Difference as to Risk from.bad Food, between 
Healthy Persons who exercise, and those of Delicate and Seden- 
tary Habits. Stimulating Food; its Effects. Condiments need 

ed only for Medicine, and to be avoided as Food. Difference 
between Animal and Vegetable Food. Opinion of some Med 

ical Men. Medical Men agree as to the Excess of Animal 
Food in American Diet. Extracts from Medical. Writers on 


this Point. Articles most easily digested.. The most Unhealth- 


ful Articles result. from bad cooking., Caution as to Mode of 
Eating. Reason why Mental and Bodily Exertions are injuri- 
ous after a full Meal. Changes in Diet should be gradual; and 
why. Drink most needed at Breakfast; and why. Dinner 
should be the heartiest Meal; and why. Little Drink to be 
taken while eating; and-why. Extremes of Heat or Cold, 
why injurious in Food. Fluids immediately absorbed from the 
Stomach. Why Soups are hard of Digestion. Case of Alexis 
St. Martin. Why highly-concentrated Nourishment is not 
good for Health. Beneficial Effects of using Unbolted Flour. 
Scarcity. of Wheat under William: Pitt’s Administration, and 
its Effects. Causes of a Debilitated Constitution from the 
Misuse of Food, BT Ley oe ae eee Lar ae a ; 


CHAPTER VI. 


ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. 


Responsibility of a Housekeeper in this Respect. Stimulating 
‘ Drinks not required for the Perfection of the Human System. 


2 D. E, 


13 


68 





a 


CONTENTS. 


‘Therefore they are needless. First Evil in using them. See: — 


ond Evil. Five Kinds of Stimulating Articles in Use in this 


- Country. First Argument in Favor of Stimulants,and how = 


answered. Second Argument; how answered. The Writer's — 


View of the Effects of Tea and Coffee on American Females. 
_ Duty in Reference to Children. Black Tea the most harmless = 
Stimulant. Warm Drinks not needful. Hot Drinks injurious. 


Effect of Hot Drinks on Teeth. Mexican Customs and their 


Effects illustrating this. Opinion of Dr. Combe on this subject. . 


Difference between the Stimulus of Animal Food and the 






Stimulating Drinks used: Common Habit of Drinking freely — : 
106 


of Cold Water debilitating. -Persons taking but little Exer- 
cise require but little Drink, . . . eee 


CHAPTER VII. 


ON. CLOTHING. 


them. Causes of Infant Mortality. Of the Circulation in In- | 
fancy. Warm Dress for Infants, and why. Investigations in — 


France, and Results. Dangers from the opposite Extreme. 


Effects of too much Clothing. Rule of Safety. Featherbeds; — 


why unhealthy in Warm Weather. Best Nightgowns for 
Young Children. Clothing; how to be proportioned. Irra-' 
tional Dress of Women. Use of Flannel next the Skin. Evils 
of Tight Dresses to Women. False Taste in our Prints of 
Fashions. Modes in which Tight Dresses operate to weaken 
the Constitution. Rule of Safety as to Looseness of Dress. 
Example of English Ladies in Appropriateness of Dress, . 


CHAPTER IX. 


ON CLEANLINESS. 


Importance of Cleanliness not realized, without a Knowledge of 


the Nature of the Skin. Foundation of the Maxim respecting 
the Healthfulness of Dirt. Office of the Skin. Other Organs 
which perform similar Duties. Amount of Matter daily exhaled 
by the Skin. Effect of a Chill upon the Skin, when perspiring. 
Illustration of this. Effect ef closing the Pores of the Skin, 
with Dirt or other Matter. The Skin absorbs Matter into the 
Blood. Reasons for a Daily Ablution of the whole Body. Ef- 
fects of Fresh Air on Clothing worn next the Skin. Ameri- 
cans compared with other Nations as to Care of the Skin. 
Cautions in Regard toa Use of the Bath. How to decide when 
Cold Bathing is useful. Warm Bath tends to prevent Colds; 
and why. When a Bath should be taken. Advantages of 
General Ablutions to Children: -Care of the Teeth... . . 


*y 


‘Salculations made from Bills of Mortality; and Inference from — 


. 112 


118 





- CONTENTS. , 
‘CHAPTER X. 


ON EARLY RISING. 4 


Universal Impression in Respect to this Practice. Why it should 
_ be regarded as American and Democratic. Practice in Aris- 
tocratic Circles in England. Appeal to American Women. 
First. Consideration in Favor of Early Rising. Another 
Physiological Reason in its Favor... Another Reason. Time 
necessary for Sleep. Proper Hours for Rising and Retiring. 
Evils of protracted Sleep. Testimony of Sir John Sinclair. 
_ Another Reason for Early Rising. _ Responsibility of Parents 
_ for the Health and Industry of a Family. Effects of Early 
feueem Creneral Societys © «06 ie jeje oe Sie es es 


: CHAPTER XI. 
ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 


Uauses which produce Delicacy and Decay of the Female Con 
stitution. Want of Exercise. Neglect of the Laws of Health. 
Want of Pure Air. Objectionable Amusements. Sleeping by 
Day. Want of Exercise a greater Cause of these Evils, than 
all the Others combined. -Importance of understanding the 
Influence of the Neglect or Abuse of the Muscular System. 
Nerves of Sensation and of Motion. Both need Exercise. 
‘Rules for Exercise. Importance of a Feeling of Interest in 
taking Exercise: Walks merely for Exercise. Exercise most 
proper for Young Girls. Exercise, more than any Thing else, 
imparts fresh Strength and Vitality to all Parts of the Body. 
Mistakes of Mothers and Teachers on this Subject. Effects of 
neglecting to use the Muscles; Effects of excessive Use of 
them. Effect of School Confinement and Seats. Extract 
from the Young Lady’s Friend. Lady Montagu. Daughter 
Repmerenei Nobleman,.: 6h ois. 6 Pe bee aided wd) ways 


CHAPTER XII. 
ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. 


What are Good-manners. Defect in American Manners. -Cold- 
ness and Reserve of the Descendants of the Puritans accounted 
for. Cause of the Want of Courtesy in American Manners. 
Want of Discrimination. Difference of Principles regulating 
Aristocratic and Democratic Manners. Rules for regulating 
the Courtesies founded on Precedence of Age, Office, and Sta- 
tion, ina Democracy. Manners appropriate to Superiors and 
Subordinates. “Miss Martineau’s Remarks on the Universal 
Practice of Americans to give Precedence to Woman. Pecu- 
liar Defect of Americans in this Respect. This to be remedied 
in the Domestic Circle, alone. Rules of Precedence to be en- 
foreed in the Family. Manners and Tones towards Superiors 
to be regulated in the Family. Treatment of grown Brothers 
and Sisters by Young Children. Acknowledgement of Favors 
by Children to be required. Children to ask ieave or apologize 


15 


122 


- 128 





oe 


St ee | CONTENTS. — 
< ‘ o ‘ 5 : 
in certain Cases. Rules for‘avoiding Remarks that wound the _ 


Feelings of Others. Rules of Hospitality. Conventional ose 


Rules. Rules for Table Manners. Caution as to teaching — 


these Rules to Children. Caution as to Allowances to be 
made for those deficient in Good-manners. Comparison of — 


English and American Manners, by De Tocqueville. America’ 
‘may hope to excel all Nations in Refinement, Taste, and — 
Good-breeding ; and why. Effects of Wealth and Equali- 
sation of Labor. Allusion to the Manners of Courts in the — 
pest Century, (0p 1.  O n PS a es 


4, 


CHAPTER XIIL 


ON THE PRESERVATION OF A GOOD TEMPER IN A 


- 


HOUSEKEEPER. ; st etabrn e 


Influence of a Housekeeper on Domestic Happiness. Contrasts 
to illustrate. Sympathy. Influence of Tones. Allowances 


to be made for Housekeepers. Considerations to aid im regu-  _ 


lating Temper and Tones. First; Her Duties to be regarded  _ 
as Dignified, Important, and Difficult. Second; She should 
feel that she really has Great Difficulties to meet and over- — 
come. Third; She should deliberately calculate upon having — 
her Plans interfered with, and be prepared for the Emergency. — 
Fourth; All her Plans should. be formed consistently with the — 
Means at Command. Fifth; System, Economy, and Neatness, ~ 
only valuable when they tend to promote the Comfort and - 
Well-being of the Family. Sixth; Government of Tones of . 
Voice. Some Persons think Angry Tones needful. They — 
mistake. Illustration. Scolding, Unlady-like, and in Bad 
Taste. A Forgiving Spirit necessary.. Seventh and Last 

- Consideration offered; Right View of a Superintending Proy- — 
idence. Fretfulness and Complaining: sinful, — are oe 


CHAPTER XIV 
ON HABITS. OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 


Question of the Equality of the Sexes, frivolous and useless. 


Relative Importance and Difficulty of the Duties a Woman ~~ < 


is called to perform. Her Duties not trivial. -More. difficult 
than those of the Queen of a great Nation. A Habit of Sys. 
tem and. Order necessary. Right Apportionment of Time. — 
General Principles. Christianity to be the Foundation.. In- 
tellectual and Social Interests to be preferred to Gratification — 
of Taste or Appetite. The Latter to be last in our Estimation. 
No Sacrifice of Health allowable. Neglect of Health a Sin in — 
the Sight of God. Regular Season of Rest appointed by the 
Creator. Divisions of Time. Systematic Arrangement of — 
House Articles and other Conveniences. Regular Employ thus 
ment for each Member of a Family. Children can be of great 
Service. Boys should be taught Family Work. Advantage . 
to them in Afterlife. Older Children to take Care of Infants _ 
OF ca Shm@ealy ss wal. Ses et Gerald “otiueere Meese 


Fe as 


. 148 






et 
a 
= 








CONTENTS. 


Bein: - CHAPTER XV. 
| : ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 


No Point of Duty more difficult to fix by Rule, than Charity. 
First Consideration ;—Object for which we are placed in this 
World. How to be perfectly happy. Self-denying Benevo- 


lence. Important Distinction. Second Consideration ;—Nat-. 


ural Principles not to be exterminated, but. regulated and con- 
trolled. All Constitutional Propensities good, and designed 


to be gratified. ‘Their Abuses to be guarced against. Third 


Consideration ;—Superfluities' sometimes proper, and some- 
times not. Fourth Consideration ;—No Rule of Duty right 
for One and not for All. The Opposite of this Principle tested. 
Some Use of Superfluities necessary. Physical Gratifications 
should always be subordinate to Social, Intellectual, and Moral 
Advantages. Difficulties in the Way. Remarks upon them. 
Plan for Keeping an Account of Necessaries and Superfluities. 
Untoward Results of our Actions do not always prove that we 
deserve Blame. Examples of Conformity to the Rules here 
laiddown. General Principles to guide in deciding upon 
Objects of Charity. Parable of» Good Samaritan. Who are 
our Neighbors. Those most in Need to be first relieved.- In- 
tellectual and Moral Wants more necessary to be supplied 
than Physical. Not much Need of Charity in supplying Physi- 
cal Wants in this Country. System of Associated Charities, 
in which many» small Sums are combined. Indiscriminate 
Charity—Very injurious to Society, as a General Rule. Ex- 
ceptions. lmpropriety of judging of the Charities of Others, 


| CHAPTER XVI. 
ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES. 


Economy of Time. Value of Time. Right Apportionment of 
Time. Laws appointed by God for the Jews. Proportions of 
Property and Time the Jews were required to devote to Intel- 
lectual, Benevolent, and Religious Purposes. _The Levites 
The weekly Sabbath. The Sabbatical Year. Three sevenths 
of the Time of the Jews devoted to God’s Service. Christian- 
ity removes the Restrictions laid on the Jews, but demands all 
our Time to be devoted to our own best Interests and the Good 
of our Fellow-men. Some Practical Good to ‘be the Ultimate 
End of all our Pursuits. Enjoyment connected with the Per- 
formance of every Duty. Great Mistuke of Mankind. A Fi- 
nal Account to be given of the Apportionment of our Time. 
Various Modes of economizing Time. System and Order. 
Uniting several Objects in one Employment. Employment of 
Odd Intervals of Time. We are bound to aid Others in econ- 
omizing Time. Economy in Expenses. Necessity of Informa- 
tion on this Point. Contradictory Notions. General Prin- 
ciples in which all agree. Knowledge of Income and Ex- 
penses. Every One bound to do as much as she can to secure 
System and Order. Examples. Evils of Want of System and 
Forethought. acre Ladies should early learn to be system 
9: 


D. BE. 


aT 


. 67 





13 CONTENTS. 


atic and economical. Articles of Dress and Furniture should ay 


be in Keeping with each other, and with the Circumstances of 
the Family. Mistaken Economy. Education of Daughters: 
away from Home injudicious. Nice Sewing should he done 


at Home. Cheap Articles not always most economical. Buy- — 


- ing by wholesale economical only m special cases. Penurious” 
Savings made by getting the Poor to work cheap. Relétive 


| Obligations of the Poor and the Rich in Regard to Economy. — 


Economy of Providence in the Unequal Distribution of Prop- 
erty. Carelessness of Expense not a Mark of Gentility. Beat- 
ing down Prices improper in Wealthy People. Inconsistency 


. in American would-be Fashionables, . . . coo wee. 


CHAPTER XVII. 
ON HEALTH OF MIND. 


\ntimate Connection between the Body and Mind. Brain ex- 


cited by improper Stimulants taken into the Stomach: Mental 
Faculties then affected. Example of a Person having lost a 
Portion of his Skull. Causes of Mental Diseases. Want of 
Oxygenized Blood. .Fresh Air absolutely necessary. Exces- 
sive Exercise of the Intellect or Feelings a Cause of Derange- 
ment. Such Attention to Religion, as prevents the Perform- 


ance of other Duties, wrong. ‘Teachers and Parents should - 


look to this. Unusual Precocity in Children usually the Re- 
sult of a Diseased Brain. Parents generally add Fuel to this. 
Fever. Idiocy often the Result, or the Precocious Child sinks 
- below the Average of Mankind. This Evil yet prevalent in 
Colleges and other Seminaries. _A Medical Man necessary in 
every Seininary. Some Pupils always needing Restraint in 
Regard to Study. A Third Cause of Mental Disease, the 
Want of Appropriate Exercise of the Various Faculties of the 
Mind. Extract from Dr. Combe. Examples of Wealthy La- 


dies. Beneficial Results of active Intellectual Employments.. .- 


{ndications of a Diseased Mind, 


CHAPTER XVIII. 
ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. 


No Subject on which American Women need more Wisdom, 


Patience, Principle,and Self-control. Its Difficulties. Neces- 
suty Evils. Miseries of Aristocratic Lands. Wisdom of 
Conforming to Actual Circumstances. How to judge cor- 
rectly respecting Domestics. ‘They should be treated as we 


would expect to be under similar ‘Circumstances. When — 


Labor is scarce, its Value is increased. Instability of Domes 
tics; how it may be remedied. Pride and Insubordination, 


how remedied. Abhorrence of Servitude a National Trait of 


Character. Domestics easily convinced of the Appropriate- 
ness of different Degrees of Subordination. Example. Do 
mestics may be easily induced to be respectful in their De- 
portment, and appropriate in their Dress. © Deficiencies of 
Qualifications for the Performance of their Duties: how rem- 


edicd. Forewarning, better tuan Chiding. Preventing, better — 












CONTENTS. 


_ than finding Fault. Faults should be pointed out im 2 Kind 
Manner. Some Employers think it their Office and Duty to 

_ find Fault. Domestics should be regarded with Sympathy 

and Forbearance, . Pee Sh aa MT eA a 


CHAPTER XIX 
ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. 


Necessity of a Knowledge of this Subject, to every Young Lady. 
Examples. Extracts from Doctors Combe, Bell, and Eterle. 
Half the Deaths of Infants owing to Mismanagement, and 
Errors in Diet. Errors of Parents and Nurses. Error of ad- 
ministering Medicines to. Children, unnecessarily. Need of 
Fresh Air, Attention to Food, Cleanliness, Dress, and Bathing. 
Cholera Infantum not cured by Nostrums. Formation of 
Good Habits in Children, . ra 


CHAPTER XX. 
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. 


Physical Education of Children. Remark of Dr. Clark, and Opin 
ion of other Medical Men. Many Popular Notions relating to 
_ Animal Food for Children, erroneous. The Formation of the 
Human Teeth and Stomach does not indicate that Man was 
designed to jive on Flesh. . Opinions of -Linneus: and Cuvier 
Stimulus of Animal Food not necessary. to Full Developement 
of the Physical and Intellectual Powers. Examples. Of Lap- 
landers, Kamtschatkadales, Scotch Highlanders, Siberian Ex 
iles, Africans, Arabs. Popular Notion that Animal Food is 
’ more Nourishing than Vegetable. Different Opinions on. this 
- Subject. Experiments. Opinions. of Dr. Combe and others. 
Examples of Men who lived to a great Age. Dr. Franklin’s 
Testimony. Sir Isaac Newton and others, Albany Orphan 
Asylum. Deleterious Practice of allowing Children to eat at 
short Intervals. Intellectual Training. Schoolrooms. Moral 
Character. Submission, Self-denial, and Benevolence, the 
three most important Habits to be formed in Early.Life. Ex- 
tremes to be guarded against. Medium Course. Adults some- 
times forget the Value which Children set on Trifles. Example. 
Impossible to govern Children, properly, without appreciating 
the Value they attach to their Pursuits and Enjoyments. 
Those who govern Children should join in their Sports. This 
the best way to gain their Confidence and Affection. But 
Older Persons should never lose the Attitude of- Superiors. 
Unsteadiness in Government. [llustrations. Punishment from 
unsteady Governors, does little Good. Over-Government. 
Want of Patience and Self-control in Parents and Governors. 
Example of Parents more effectual than their Precepts. For- 
mation of Habits of Self-denial in Early Life. Denying Our- 
selves to promote the Happiness of Others. Habits of Honesty 
and Veracity. Habits of Modesty. Delicacy studiously to be 
cherished. Licentious and Impure Books to be ‘banished. 


19 


204 


. 213 


Bulwer a Licentious Writer, and to be discountenanced, © . 220 






_ 


y ; i ee er PEE, 5 
ON THE CARE OF THE SICK 2 


“Ss ( _ 4 E ‘ : ‘ é ; ie Dip ce na ie Pal 
Women frequently called upon, to direct in Cases of Indisposi- ai 


tion. Extremes to be avoided. Grand Cause of ings‘ Diseases, 
Excess in Eating and Drinking. Fasting usefvl. Extracts 


from Doctors Burne and Combe. Necessity of 2 Woman’s — : 


Understanding the Nature and Operation of Common Medi- 
cines. Simple Electuary. Discretion required. Useful Di- — 
rections in Regard to Nursing the Sick. Fresh Air absolutely — 
necessary. Frequent Ablutions important. Dressing a Blis- 
ter. Arrangements to be made beforehand, when practicable. — 
Importance of Cleanliness; Nothing more annoying to the 
Sick, than a want of it. Necessity of a proper Preparation of — 
Food, for the Sick. Physicians’ Directions to be-well under 
stood and implicitly followed. Kindness, Patience, and Sym 

pathy, towards the Sick, important. Impositions of Apothecs 


ries. Drugs to be locked up from the Access of Children,. 234 — 


CHAPTER XXII. 
ON ACCIDENTS AND. ANTIDOTES. 


Medical Aid should be promptly resorted to. Suffocation, trom 
Substances in the Throat. Common Cuts. Wounds of Ar- 
teries, and other severe Cuts... Bruises. Sprains. Broken 
Limbs. Falls. Blows on the Head. Burns. Drowning. 
Poisons :— Corrosive Sublimate ; Arsenic, or Cobalt; Opium; — 
Acids; Alkalies. Stupefaction from Fumes of Charcoal, or — 
from entering a Well, Limekiln, or Coalmine. - Hemorrhage 
of the Lungs, Stomach, or Throat. Bleeding of the Nose. 


Dangers from Lightning, Sgn : «i 


4 


CHAPTER XXIII. Poe. 
ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL DUTIES. 


(ndefiniteness of Opinion on this Subject.- Every Person needs | 
some Recreation. General Rules. How much Time to be 
given. What Amusements proper. . Those should always be 
avoided, which cause Pain, or injure the Health, or endanger 
Life, or interfere with important Duties, or are pernicious in - 
their Tendency. Horse-racing, Cireus-riding, Theatres, and 
-Gambling.. Dancing, as now conducted, does not conduce to — 
Health of Body or Mind, but the contrary. Dancing in the 
Open Air beneficial. Social Benefits of Dancing considered. 
Ease and Grace of Manners better.secured by a System of 
Calisthenics. The Writer’s Experience. Balls going out of 
Fashion, among the more refined Circles. Novel-reading. ~ 
Necessity for Discrimination. Young Persons should be 
guarded from Novels. Proper Amusements for Young Per-— 
sons. Cultivation of Flowers and Fruits. Benefits of the 
Practice. Music, Children enjoy it. Collections of Shells, — 








- CONTENTS. 


_ Plants, Minerals, &c. Children’s Games and Sports. Parents 
should join in them. Mechanical Skill of Children to be en 
couraged. Other Enjoyments. Social Enjoyments not always 
considered.in. the List of Duties. Main Object of Life to form 
Character Family Friendship should be preserved. Plan 
adopted by Families of the Writer’s Acquaintance. Kindness 

to Strangers. Hospitality. Change of Character of Com- 

munities in Relation to Hospitality. Hospitality should be 
prompt. Strangers should be made to feel at their Ease, 


win CHAPTER XXIV. 
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 


Importance to Family Comfort of well-constructed Houses. 
Rules for constructing them. Economy of Labor. Large 
Houses. Arrangement of Rooms. Wells and Cisterns. 
Economy of Money. Shape and Arrangement of Houses. 
Porticoes, Piazzas, and other Ornaments. Simplicity to be 
preferred. Fireplaces. Economy, of Health. Outdoor Con- 
veniences. Doors and Windows. Ventilation. Economy 
of Comfort. Domestics. Spare Chambers. Good Taste. 
Proportions. Color and Ornaments. Plans of Houses and 
Domestic Conveniences. -Receipts for Whitewash, . . . . 


/ 


CHAPTER XXY. 
ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. 


Wood Fires. Construction of Fireplaces. Firesets. Building 
a Fire. Wood. ‘Cautions. Stoves and Grates. Cautions. 
Stovepipes. Anthracite Coal. Bituminous Coal. Proper 
Grates. Coal Stoves. On Lights. Lamps. Oil. Candles. 
Lard. Pearlash and Water for cleansing Lamps. Care of 
Lamps. Difficulty. Articles needed in trimming Lamps. 
Astral Lamps. Wicks. Dipping Wicks in Vinegar. Shades. 
Weak Eyes. Entry Lamps. Night Lamps. Tapers. Wax 
Tapers for Use in Sealing Letters. To make -Candles. 


Moulds. Dipped Candles. Rush Lights, osc 


. CHAPTER XXVLI. 
CN WASHING. 


All needful Accommodations should-be provided. Plenty of 
Water, easily accessible, necessary. Articles to be provided 
for Washing. Substitutes for Soft Water. Common Mode 
of Washing. Assorting:Clothes. To Wash Bedding. Feath- 
ers. Calicoes. Bran-water. Potato-water. _Soda Washing. 
Soda Soap. Mode of Soda Washing. Cautions in Regard to 
Colored Clothes; and Flannels. ‘To Wash Brown Linen, 


Muslins, Naitkeen, Woollen Table-Covers and Shawls, Wool- | 


len Yarn, Worsted and Woollen Hose: To Cleanse Gen- 
tlemen’s Broadcloths. To make Ley, Soft Soap, Hard Soap, 
White Soap, Starch, and other Articles used in Washing, . 


. 244 


258 


280 


. 234 


x 
Sy 





> - i r te < Z * ‘ ¥ $%s 
ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. 


To prepare Starch. Glue and Gum Starch. Beef’s or Ox-Gall. RO 

Tg Starching Muslins and Laces. To Cleanse or Whiten Silk me 

ace, or Blond, and White Lace Veils. OnTIroning. Articles 
to be provided for Ironing. Sprinkling, Folding, and Ironing, 292 

CHAPTER XXVIII. ~ alee 

ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. © ae eS 


To Whiten Articles and Remove Stains from them. Mixtures 
to Remove Stains and Grease. Jo Cleanse Silk Handker- . _ 
chiefs and Ribands ; Silk Hose or Gloves; Downand Feathers; — 
Straw and Leghorn Hats On Coloring. Pink, Red, Yellow, — 
Blue, Green, Salmon, Buff, Dove; Slate, Brown, Black, and 
Olive Colors, | 52. *5)..e he5, ‘sce eee ~ Ue 


re 


Ss ie a ed 0 ~~ y 
nian , 


CHAPTER XXIX. 
ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. 


Proper Arrangement of Rooms. Shades and Colors. Carpets, 
Curtains, and other Furniture, should be selected with Ref-_ 
erence to each other. Laying down Carpets. Blocks to pre- 
i. ae vent Sofas and Tables from rubbing against Walls, and to hold 
Doors open. Footstools. Sweeping Carpets. Tealeaves.. 
Wet Indian Meal. Taking up and cleansing Carpets. Washing 
Carpets. Straw Matting. Picturesand Glasses. Curtains and 
Sofas. . Mahogany Furniture. Unvarnished Furniture; Mix- _ 
tures for. Hearths and Jambs. Sweeping and Dusting Parlors, 302 


Ps ke. Ye 


CHAPTER XXX. <5 at * 
ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS., 


puarge Closet necessary. Dumb Waiter, or Sliding Closet. Fur. f 2%: 
niture for a Table. On Setting a Table. Rules for doing it 
properly ;—for Breakfast and Tea; for Dinner. On Waiting at 


Table. On Carving and Helping at Table, . 306 


CHAPTER XXXI. + 
ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. 


Importance of well-ventilated Sleeping-rooms. Debility and 

: Ill-health caused by a Want of Pure Air. Chamber Furni- 
ture.‘ Cheap. Couch. Bedding. . Feathers, Straw, or Hair < 
Mattresses. To Make a Bed. Domestics should be provided:  — 
with Single Beds, and Washing Conveniences. On Packing | 2 
and Storing Articles. To Fold a Gentleman’s Coat and Shirt, _ 
and a Frock. Packing Trunks.. Carpet Bags. Bonnet Cov-> 

. ers Packing Household Furniture for Moving, . . . . . 3). 





; 
* 





CONTENTS. 23 


CHAPTER XXXIL. 


ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. 


‘Lnportance of a Convenient Kitchen. Floor should be painted 


Sink and Drain. Washing Dishes. Conveniences needed. 

Rules. Kitchen Furniture. Crockery. Iron Ware. Tin 

_ Ware. Wooden Ware. Basket Ware. Other Articles. On 

the Care of the Cellar. Storeroom. Modes of Destroying In- 
WCPO: 2s yee ey eS. > Silbeolhan weeole 
s 


“CHAPTER XXXIIL. 
’ ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. 


Importance of Young Girls being taught various Kinds of Stitch- 
ing. Directions for.doing various Kinds of Work. Work- 
Baskets, and their Contents. On Cutting and Fitting Gar- 
ments. Silks. Cotton and Linen. Old Silk Dresses quilted 
for Skirts. Flannel; White should be colored. Children’s 
Flannels. Nightgowns. Wrappers. Bedding. Mending, . 324 


CHAPTER XXXIV. | 
ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 


On the Preparation of Soil. For Pot-Plants. On the Prepara- 
tion of a Hot-Bed. Planting Flower-Seeds. To plant Garden- 
Seeds. Transplanting. To Re-pot House-Plants. On laying 
out Yards. Gardens. Flower-Beds. Bulbs and Tuberous 
Roots. List of Various Kinds of Flowers, in Reference to 
Color, and Height.. Annuals. Climbing Plants. Perennials. 
Herbaceous Roots. Shrubs; List of those most. suitable for 
adorning a Yard. Roses; Varieties of. Shade-Trees. ‘Time 
for Transplanting. Trees. Care of House Plants, . . . . 331 


CHAPTER XXXV. 
ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 


Different Modes of Propagation ;—By Offsets; Cuttings; Lay- 
ers; Budding, or Inoculating; Ingrafting ;—Whip-Grafting ; 
Split-Grafting ; Stock-Grafting. Pruning. Thinning, . 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 
ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. 


Value of Attention to this Subject. Preparation of Soil. Plant- 
ing of Seeds. Budding, Grafting, and Transplanting. ‘Train- 
ing the Limbs. Attention to the Soil. Manuring. Filberts. 
Figs. Currants. Gooseberries. Raspberries. Strawberries. 
Grapes. To Preserve Fruit; Modes of Preserving Fruit-Trees. 


Poeerrent Worms, 36 a ae ob ie 


bade 1 5 
‘ 


oe 7 CONTENTS. 





CHAPTER XXXVII. 
MISCELLANEOUS. DIRECTIONS, 


Women should know how to take proper Care of Domestic eer 
mals. Care of a Horse. Care of a Cow. Poultry. Cautions — 
for Winter. Smoky Chimneys. House- Picea Parties 
Invitations. Comfort of Guests. Flower-Baskets. Fire-Boards. _ 
Water-proof Shoes. Earthen Ware. Cements, &e. &c. . . 351 


Prore.—Cooking,.; . ; 3: < 33 so) 2 ee 


Giiossany, 9. yo aor we Dea See ee 


ENDEX,” “eed ohn sami ss sop dey > ge a 


LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. 


4. The Human Skeleton, showing the Connection of the Bones 


of the System, . a ae dens 

2, 3,4. The Cervical, Dorsal, and Lumbar, Vertebrax, 6p. See 
5. Muscles of the Arm, : 74 
6 Vertical Section of the Skull and Spinal Column, si side view, 77 
7 View of the same as seen from behind, . . 77 
8. Ramifications of the Nerves, . . ow, 9 yale oan 
9,10,11. Natural and Distorted Spines, «AQ std gipey hia Pee 
12. Vascular System, or Blood-Vessels,. . . . . . . . > 82 
13. ‘The Two Sides of the Heart, separated, . . <: al ee toes 


14. The Heart, with its two Sides united, as in Nature, “ee 86 
15. The Heart, with the great Blood- Vessels, ona : aa scale, ey, 
16. Organs of Digestion and Respiration, . . : . 88 
17. Elevation of a Cottage of Fine Proportions, . . . » « . 202 
18. Ground-plan of the same, . ws. snl 2 of Soe 
19. Arrangement of one Side of a Room, oo. canoes eR eee. 


20. Fireplace and Mantelpiece, . 


. 265 
21. Elevation of a Cottage on a different Plan from the former, 265 
22. Ground-plan of the same, « 266° 
23, 24. Ground-plan and Second Story of a two-story Cottage; 267 
95. Front Elevation of the latter Cottage, . 268 
26. Front Elevation, on a different Plan, . . 268 
27, 28. Plans of First and Second Stories of the idttel Elevation, 269 
29) 30. Plans of First and Second Stories of a larger House,. . 270 
31. Front Elevation of a very convenient ve dee oo Ns oe 
32. Ground-plan of the same, . 272 
33. Cottage of Daniel Wadsworth, Esq., by near "Hartford, Conn., 274 
34, Accommodations for securing Water with the least Labor, « : 275 
30. Back-door Accommodations, : 276 


36. Latticed Portico, . 2 ett ee . a | 277 
37. Sliding Closet, or Dumb Waiter, . oe ee aye ae 
38. Cheap Couch, . : Sere War tie Pir cli ye 
39. Plan ofa Flower-Bed, ee SS ee ee 
40. Budding, . . we cg ee ee)» ee ana 


41, Grafting 1 8ie ele: [ser ee 
42," Stock-Grafting, }° 0 SD eee ea 





“DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 


CHAPTER I. 
THE PECULI‘®, RESPONSIBILITIES OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 


‘THERE are some reasons, why American women should 
feel an interest in the support of the democratic institu- 
tions of their Country, which it is important that they 
should consider. .The great maxim, which is the basis 
of all our civil and political institutions, is, that “all men 
are created equal,” and that they are equally entitled to 
‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

But it can readily be seen, that. this is only another 
mode of expressing the fundamental principle which the 
Great Ruler of the Universe has established, as the law 
of His eternal government. <“‘'Thou shalt love thy neigh- 
bor as thyself;” and ‘“‘ Whatsoever ye would that men 
should do to you, do ye even so to them,” are the Scrip- 
ture forms, by which the Supreme Lawgiver requires 
that each individual of our race shall regard the happi- 
ness of others, as of the same value as his own; and 
which forbid any institution, in private or civil life, which 
secures advantages to one class, by sacrificing the inter- 
' ests of another. 

‘The principles of democracy, then, are identical with 
the principles of Christianity. 

But, in order that each individual may pursue and 
secure the highest degree of happiness within his reach, 
unimpeded by the selfish interests of others, a system of 
laws must be established, which sustain certain relations 
and dependencies in social and civil life. What these 
relations and their attending obligations shall.be, are to 

3 





26 PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES 


be determined, not with reference to the wishes and m- __ 


terests of a few, but solely with reference to the general 


good of all; so that each individual shall have his 
own interest, as well as the public benefit, secured by 
them. . a pee 
For this purpose, it is needful that certain relations — 
be sustained, which involve the duties of subordination. 
There must be the magistrate and the subject, one of 
whom is the superior, and the other the mferior. ‘There 
must be the relations of husband and wife, parent and 
child, teacher and pupil, employer and employed, each 
involving the relative duties of subordination. The su- 
perior, in certain particulars, is to direct, and the in- 
ferior is to yield obedience. Society could never go 
forward, harmoniously, nor could any craft or profession 
be successfully pursued, unless these superior and sub- 
ordinate relations be instituted and sustained. 
But who shall take the higher, and who the subordi- 
nate, stations in social and civil life? This matter, in 
the case of parents and children, is decided by the Cre- 
ator. He has given children to the control of parents, 
as their superiors, and to them they remain subordinate, 
to a certain age, or so long as they are members of their 
household. And parents can delegate such a portion 
of their authority to teachers and employers, as the 
interests of their children require. “ 
In most other cases, in a truly democratic state, each 
individual is allowed to choose for himself, whe shall 
take the position of his-superior. No woman is forced 
to obey any husband but the one she chooses for her- 
self; nor is she obliged to take a husband, if she prefers 
to remain single. So every domestic, and every artisan 
or laborer, after passing from parental control, can choose 
the employer to whom he is to accord obedience, or, if 
he prefers to relinquish certain advantages, he can remain 
without taking a subordinate place to any employer. 
Each subject, also, has equal power with every other, 
to decide who shall be his superior as a ruler. The 
weakest, the poorest, the most illiterate, has the same 


i ae bie iy GE O*—. oe 
oy Peay eet -* 4 
‘ i ia 


OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 27 


a 


“opporttinity to diotechine this question, as the richest, 
_ the most learned, and the most exalted. 


And the various privileges that wealth secures, are 
equaily open to all classes. Every man may aim at 
riches, unimpeded by any law or institution which se- 


cures peculiar privileges to a favored class, at the expense 


of another. Every law, and every institution, is tested 
by examining whether it secures equal advantages to all ; 
and, if the people become convinced that any regula- 
tion sacrifices the good of the majority to the interests 
of the smaller number, they have power to abolish it. 
The institutions of monarchical and aristocratic na- 
tions are based on precisely opposite principles. They 
secure, to certain small and favored classes, advantages, 
which can be maintained, only by sacrificing the inter- 
ests of the great mass of the people. Thus, the throne 
and aristocracy of England are supported by laws and 


customs, which burden the lower classes with taxes, so 


“enormous, as to deprive them of all the luxuries, and of 


most of the comforts, of life. Poor dwellings, scanty 
food, unhealthy employments, excessive labor, and en- 
tire destitution of the means and time for education, are 
appointed for the lower classes, that a few may live in 
palaces, and riot in every indulgence: 

‘The tendencies of Henican) institutions, in reference 
to the rights and interests of the female sex, have been 


fully developed in the United. States; and it is in this 


aspect, that the subject is one of peculiar interest to 
American women. In this Country, it is established, 
both by opinion and. by practice, that woman has an 
equal interest in all social and civil concerns ; and that 
no domestic, civil, or political, institution, is right, which 
sacrifices her interest to promote that of the other sex. 
But in order to secure her the more firmly in all these 


privileges, it is decided, that, in the domestic relation, 


she take a subordinate station, and that, in civil and po- 
litical concerns, her interests be intrusted to the other 
sex, without her taking any part in voting, or in making 
aiid administering tows The result of this order of 





28 PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES 


things has been fairly | tested, ee 1S thus abenea 
M. De Tocqueville, a writer, ‘who, for intelligence, fidel- 
ity, and ability, ranks second to none. 

‘‘'There are people in Europe, who, con ioudae to-— 
gether the different characteristics of the sexes, would 
make of man and woman, beings not only. equal, but 
alike. They would give to both the same functions, 
impose on both the same duties, and grant to both. the 
same rights. ‘They would mix them in all things,— 
their business, their occupations, their, pleasures. It 
may readily be conceived, that, by thus attempting to 
make one sex equal to the other, both are degraded ; 
and, from so preposterous a medley of the works of © 
Nature, nothing could ever result, but weak men and 
disorderly women. 

“Tt is not thus that the Americans understand the 
species of democratic equality, which may be established 
between the sexes. They admit, that, as Nature has 
appointed such wide differences between the physical 
and moral constitutions of man and woman, her mani- 
fest design was, to give a distinct.employment to their 
various faculties ; and they hold, that improvement does 
not consist in making beings so dissimilar do pretty 
nearly the same thirigs, but in getting each of them to 
fulfil their respective tasks, in the best possible manner. 
The Americans have applied to the sexes the great 
principle of political economy, which governs the man- 
ufactories of our age, by carefully dividing the ‘duties 
of man from those of woman, in order that the great 
work of society may be the better carried on. — 

“Jn no country has such constant care been taken, 
as in America, to trace two clearly distinct lines of ac- 
tion for the two sexes, and to make them keep pace 
one with the other, but in. two pathways which are 
always different. American women never manage the 
outward concerns of the family, or conduct a business, 
or take a part in political life; nor are they, on the 
other hand, ever compelled to perform the rough labor _ 
of the fields, or to make any of those laborious exertions, 





OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 29 


which demand the exertion of physical strength. No 
families are so poor, as to form an exception to this rule. 

“Tf, on the one hand, an American woman cannot 
escape from the quiet circle of domestic employments, _ 
on the other hand, she is never forced to go beyond it. 
Hence it is, that the women of America, who often 
exhibit a masculine strength of understanding, and a 
manly energy, generally preserve great delicacy of per- 
sonal appearance, and always retain the manners of 
women, although they sometimes show that they have 
the hearts and minds of men. 

““Nor have the Americans ever supposed, that one 
consequence of democratic principles, is, the subversion — 
of marital power, or the confusion of the natural au- 
thorities in families. They hold, that every association 
must have a head, in order to accomplish its object; 
and that the natural head of the conjugal association is 
man. ‘They do not, therefore, deny him the right of 
directing his partner; and they maintain, that, in the 
smaller association of husband and wife, as well as in 
the great social community, the object of democracy is, 
to regulate and legalize the powers which are necessary, 
not to subvert all power. 

“This opinion is not peculiar to one sex, and con- 
tested by the other. I never observed, that the women 
of America considered conjugal authority as a fortunate 
usurpation of their rights, nor that they thought them- 
selves degraded by submitting to it. It appears to me, 
on the contrary, that they attach a sort of pride to the 
voluntary surrender of their own will, and make it their 
boast to bend themselves to the yoke, not to shake it 
off. Such, at least, is the feeling expressed by the most 
virtuous of their sex; the others are silent; and in the 
United States it is not the practice for a guilty wife to 
clamor for the rights of woman, while she is trampling 
on her holiest duties.” 

“Although the travellers, who have visited North 
America, ur on a great Hiniher of points, they agree 
in remarking, that morals are far more strict, there, than 

* n. E 








30 PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES 


‘ ag i We 
elsewhere.* It is evident that, on this point, the Ameri- 


cans are very superior to their progenitors, the English.” — 
“In England, as in all other Countries of Europe, pubd- 
lic malice is constantly attacking the frailties of women. 
Philosophers and statesmen are heard to deplore, that — 


F 


morals are not sufficiently strict; and the literary pro- — 
ductions of the Country constantly lead one to suppose — 
so. In America, all books, novels not excepted, sup- 
pose women to be chaste; and no one thinks of relating 
affairs of gallantry.” a 
“Tt has often been remarked, that, in Europe, a cer- 
tain degree of contempt lurks, even in the flattery which 
men lavish upon women. Although a European fre- - 
quently affects to be the slave of woman, it may be seen, 
that he never sincerely thinks her his equal. In the 
United States, men seldom compliment women, but they — 
daily show how much they esteem them. ‘They con- 
stantly display an entire confidence in the understand- 
ing of a wife, and a profound respect for her freedom. 


* Miss Martineau is a singular exception to this remark. After 
receiving unexampled hospitalities and kindnesses, she gives the fol- 
lowing picture of her entertainers. Having in other places spoken 
of the American woman as having “ her intellect confined,” and * her 
morals crushed,’ and as deficient in education, because she has 
“none of the objects in life for which an enlarged education is con- 
sidered requisite,’ she says,—‘ It is assumed, in America, particularly 
in New England, that the morals of society there are peculiarly pure. 
I am grieved to doubt the fact; but I do doubt it.” “The Auld- 
Robin-Gray story is a frequently-enacted tragedy here ;, and one of the 
worst symptoms that struck me, was, that there was usually a demand 
upon my sympathy in such cases.”’—‘t The unavoidable consequence 
of such a mode of marrying, is, that the sanctity of marriage is 
impaired, and that vice succeeds. There are sad tales in country 
villages, here and there, that attest this; and yet more in towns, in 
a rank of society where such things are seldom or never heard of 
in England.”—‘ T unavoidably knew of more cases of lapse in highly 
‘ respectable families in one State, than ever came to my knowledge 
at home ; and they were got over with a disgrace far more temporary 
and superficial than they could have been visited with in England.” 
—‘‘ The vacuity of mind of many women, is, I conclude, the cause of 
a vice, which it is painful to allude to, but which cannot honestly be 
passed over.—It is no secret on the spot, that the habit of intemper- 
ince is not infrequent among women of station and education in the 
most enlightened parts of the Country. I witnessed some instances, 
and heard of more. It does not seem to me to be regarded with all 
the dismay which such a symptom ought to excite. To the stranger, 





OF AMERICAN WOMEN. ol 


They have decided that her mind is just as fitted as that 
of a man to discover the plain truth, and her heart as 
firm to embrace it, and they have never sought to place 
her virtue, any more than his, under the shelter of 
prejudice, ignorance, and fear. . . 

* “Tt would seem, that in Europe, where man so easily 
submits to the despotic sway of woman, they are never- 
theless curtailed of some of the greatest qualities of the 
human species, and considered as seductive, but imper- 
fect beings, and (what may well provoke astonishment) 
women ultimately look upon themselves in the same 
light, and almost consider it as a privilege that they are . 
entitled to show themselves futile, feeble, and timid. 
The women of America claim no such privileges.” 

“Jt is true, that the Americans rarely lavish upon 
women those eager attentions which are commonly paid 


a novelty so horrible, a spectacle so fearful, suggests wide and deep 
subjects of investigation.” , : 

It is not possible for language to give representations more false in 
évery item. In evidence of this, the writer would mention, that, 
within the last few years, she has travelled almost the entire route 
taken by Miss Martineau, except the lower tier of the Southern 
States; and, though not meeting the same individuals, has mingled in 
the very same circles. Moreover, she has resided from several months 
to several years in eight of the different Northern and Western 
States, and spent several weeks ata time in five other States. She 
has also had pupils from every State in the Union, but two, and has 
visited extensively at their houses. But in her whole life, and in all 
these different positions, the writer has never, to her knowledge, seen 
even one woman, of the classes with which she has associated, who 
had Japsed in the manner indicated by Miss Martineau ; nor does she 
believe that such a woman could find admission in such circles any 
where in the Country. As to intemperate women, five cases are all 
of whom the writer has ever heard, in such circles, and two of these 
many believed to be unwarrantably suspected. After following in 
Miss Martineau’s track, and discovering all the falsehood, twaddle, 
gossip, old saws, and almanac stories, which have been strung together 
in her books, no charitable mode of accounting for the medley re- 
mains, but to suppose her the pitiable dupe of that love of hoaxing 
so often found in our Country. 

Again, Miss Martineau says, “ We passed an unshaded meadow, 
where the grass had caught. fire, every day, at-eleven o'clock, the pre- 
ceding Summer. This demonstrates the necessity of shade”! A 
woman, with so little common sense, as to swallow such an absurdity 
for truth, and then tack to it such an astute deduction, must be a tempt- 
ing subject for the abovementioned mischievous propensity. 





32 PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES 


them in Europe. But their conduct to women always 
implies, that they suppose them to be virtuous and re- — 


fined; and such is the respect entertained for the moral _ 


freedom of the sex, that, in the presence of a woman, 
the most guarded. language is used, lest her ear should — 
be offended by an expression. In America,a young — 
unmarried woman may, alone, and without fear, under- 
take a long journey.” : Oe. 

‘Thus the Americans do not think that man and 
woman have either the duty, or the right, to perform 
the same offices, but they show an equal regard for 
both their respective parts; and, though their lot is 
different, they consider both of them, as bemgs of equal 
value. They do not give to the courage of woman the 
same form, or the same direction, as to that of man; 
but they never doubt her courage: and if they hold 
that man and his partner ought not always to exercise 
their intellect and understanding i the same manner, 
they at least believe the understanding of the one to be 
as sound. as that of the other, and her intellect to be as 
clear. Thus, then, while they have allowed the social 
inferiority of woman to subsist, they have done all they 
could to raise her, morally and intellectually, to the 
level of man; and, in this respect, they appear to me 
to have excellently understood the true principle ot 
democratic improvement. = 

“As for myself, I do not hesitate to avow, that, 
although the women of the United States are confined 
within the narrow circle of domestic life, and their situ- 
ation Is, m some respects, one of extreme dependence, 
I have nowhere seen women occupying a loftier position ; 
and if I were asked, now I am drawing to the close of 
this work, in which | have spoken of so many important 
things done by the Americans, to what the singular 
prosperity and growing strength of that people ought 
mainly to be attributed, I should reply,—to the superi- 
ority of thew women.” 

This testimony of a foreigner, who has had abundant 
opportunities of making a comparison, is sanctioned by 





OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 33 


the assent of all candid and intelligent men, who have 
eae ‘similar opportunities. 

It appears, then, that it is in America, alone, that 
women are raised to an equality with the other SeX* 
and that, both in theory and practice, their interests are 
regarded as of equal value. They are made subordi- 
nate in station, only where a regard to their best inter- 
ests demands it, while, as if in compensation for this, 
by custom and courtesy, they are always treated as 
superiors. Universally, in this Country, through every 
class of society, precedence is given to woman, in all 
the comforts, conveniences, and courtesies, of life. 

In civil and political affairs, American women take 
no interest or concern, except so far as they ‘sympathize 
with their family and personal friends ; but in all cases, 

“In which they do feel a concern, their opinions and 
feelings have a consideration, equal, or even superior, 
to that of the other sex. 

In matters pertaining to the education of their chil- 
dren, in the selection and support of a clergyman, in all 
benevolent enterprises, and in all questions relating to 
morals or manners, they have a superior influence. In 
such concerns, it would be impossible to carry a point, 
contrary to their judgement and feelings; while an 
enterprise, sustained by them, will seldom fail of 
success. 

Tf those who are bewailing themselves over the fan- 
cied wrongs and injuries of women in this Nation, could 
only see things as they are, they would know, that, 
whatever remnants of a barbarous or aristocratic age 
may remain in our civil institutions, in reference to the 
interests of women, it is only because they are ignorant 
of them, or do not use. their influence to have them rec- 
tified ; for it is very certain that there is nothing reason 
able, which American women would unite in asking, 
that would not readily be bestowed. 

The preceding remarks, then, illustrate the position, 
that the democratic institutions of this Country are in 


34 PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES 


reality no other than the principles of Christianity car- 
ried into operation, and that they tend to place woman > 
in her true position in society, as having equal rights — 
with the other sex; and that, in fact, they have secured — 


to American women a lofty and fortunate position, 
which, as yet, has been nee by the women of no 
other nation. 


There is another topic, presented in the work of the 
above author, which demands the profound attention | 


of American women. 


The following is taken from that part of the Tires: 


duction to the work, illustrating the position, that, for 
ages, there has been a constant progress, in all civilized 
nations, towards the democratic equality atiaeane in 
this Country. _ 

“The various occurrences of national existence have 
every where turned to the advantage of democracy; all 
men have aided it by their exertions; those who have 
intentionally labored in its cause, and those who have 


served it unwittingly ; those who have fought for it, and 


those who have declared themselves its opponents, have 
all been driven along in the same track, have all labored 
to one end;”’ “all have been blind instruments in the 
hands of God.” 

“The gradual developement of the equality a con- 
ditions, is, therefore, a Providential fact; and it pos- 
sesses all the characteristics of a Divine: decree: it is 
universal, it is durable, it constantly eludes all human 
interference, and all events, as well as all ip ites contrib 
ute to its progress.” 

“The whole book, which is here offered to the pub: 
lic, has been written under the i impression of a kind of 
religious dread, produced in the author’s mind, by the 
contemplation of so irresistible a rev olution, which has 


advanced for centuries, in spite of such amazing obsta- - 


cles, and which is still proceeding in the midst of the 
ruins it has made. 
“Tt is not necessary that God Himself should speak, 








OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 35 


“4n order to disclose to us the unquestionable signs of 
His will. We can discern them in the habitual course 
of N ature, and in the invariable tendency of events.” 

“Tf the men of our time were led, by attentive ob- 
servation, and by sincere reflection, to acknowledge 
that the gradual and progressive developement of social 
equality is at once the past and future of their history, 
this solitary truth would confer the sacred character of 
a Divine decree upon the change. To attempt to 
check democracy, would be, in that case, to resist. the 
will of God ; and the nations would then be constrained 
to make the best of the social lot awarded to them by 
Providence.” 

“It is not, then, merely to satisfy a legitimate curi- 
osity, that I have examined America; my wish has been 
to find instruction by which we may ourselves profit.” 
“JT have not even affected to discuss whether the social 
revolution, which I believe to be irresistible, is advanta- 
geous or prejudicial to mankind. I have acknowledged 
this revolution, as a fact already accomplished, or on 
the eve of its accomplishment ; and I have selected the 
nation, from among those which have undergone it, in 
which its developement has been the most peaceful and 
the most complete, in order to discern its natural con- 
sequences, and, if it be possible, to distinguish the 
means by which it may be rendered profitable. I 
confess, that in America [ saw more than America; I 
sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclina- 
tions, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in 
order to learn what we have to fear, or to hope, from 
its progress.” | 

It thus appears, that the sublime and elevating an- 
ticipations which have filled. the mind and heart of the 
religious world, have become so far developed, that 
philosophers and statesmen are perceiving the signs, 
and are predicting the approach, of the same grand con- 
summation. ‘There is a day advancing, “by seers pre- 
dicted, and by poets sung,” when the curse of selfish- 
ness shall be removed ; when “scenes surpassing fable, 


36 PECULIAR RESPONSIBILITIES - 


and yet true,” shall be realized ; when all nations shall 
rejoice and be made blessed, under those benevolent | 
influences, which the Messiah came to establish on 


earth. | 
And this is the Country, which the Disposer of 
events designs shall go forth as the cynosure of nations, 


to guide them to the light and blessedness of that day. 


To us is committed the grand, the responsible privilege, 
of exhibiting to the world, the beneficent influences of 
Christianity, when carried into every social, civil, and 


political institution; and, though we have, as yet, made _ 
such imperfect advances, already the light is streaming. 
into the dark prison-house of despotic lands, while — 


startled kings and sages, philosophers and statesmen, 


are watching us with that mterest, which a career so - 


illustrious, and so involving their own destiny, is calcu- 
lated to excite. They are studying our institutions, 
scrutinizing our experience, and watching for our mis- 
takes, that they may learn whether “a social revolu- 


tion, so irresistible, be advantageous or prejudicial to — 


mankind.” : | 

There are persons, who regard these. interesting 
truths merely as food for national vanity; but every 
reflecting and Christian mind, must consider it as 
an occasion for solemn and anxious reflection. Are 
we, then, a spectacle to the world? Has the Eternal 
Lawgiver appointed us to work out a problem, in- 


volving the destiny of the whole earth? Are such 


momentous interests to be advanced or retarded, just 
in proportion as we are faithful to our high trust? 
“‘ What manner of persons, then, ought we to be,’ 
in attempting to sustain so solemn, so glorious a re 
sponsibility ? | 


But the part to be enacted by American women, in : 


this great moral enterprise, is the point to which special 
attention should here be directed. | 

The success of democratic institutions, as is con- 
ceded by all, depends upon the intellectual and moral 
character of the mass of the people. If they are intel- 









’ OF AMERICAN WOMEN. 37 


Tigent. and virtuous, democracy is a blessing; but if 
‘they are ignorant and wicked, it is only a curse, and as 
much more dreadful than any other form of civil gov- 
ernment, as a thousand tyrants ‘are more to be dreaded 
than one. It is equally conceded, that the formation 
of the moral and intellectual character of the young is 
committed mainly to the female hand. The mother 
forms the character of the future man; the sister bends 
the fibres that are hereafter to be the forest tree; the 
wife sways the heart, whose energies may turn for good 
or for evil the destinies of a nation. Let the women of 
a country be made virtuous and intelligent, and the men 
will certainly be the same. The proper education of a 
man decides the welfare of an individual; but educate 
a woman, and the interests of a whole family are 
secured. 

If this be so, as none will deny, then to American 
women, more than to any others on earth, is committed 
the exalted privilege of extending over the world those 
blessed influences, which are to renovate degraded man, 
and “ clofhe all climes with beauty.” 

No American woman, then, has any occasion for 
feeling that hers is an humble or insignificant lot. 
The value of what an individual accomplishes, is to be 
estimated by the importance of the enterprise achieved, 
and not by the particular position of the laborer. The 
drops of heaven which freshen the earth, are each of 
equal value, whether they fall in the lowland meadow, 
or the princely parterre. The builders of a temple are 
of equal importance, whether they labor on the founda- 
tions, or toil upon the dome. 

Thus, also, with those labors which are to be made 
effectual in the regeneration of the Earth. And it is 
by forming a habit of regarding the apparently insignif- 
icant efforts of each isolated laborer, in a comprehensive 
manner, as indispensable portions of a grand result, that 
the minds of all, however humble their sphere of ser 
vice, can be invigorated and cheered. ‘The womar, 

4 D.E 





38 |. DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR 


who is rearing a family of children; the woman, who 
labors in the echanitoont the woman, who, in her re- 
tired chamber, earns, with her needle, the mite, which | : 


contributes to the iislleniae! and moral opmtan of 


her Country ; even the humble domestic, whose exam-_ 
ple and influence may be moulding and forming young — 
minds, while her faithful services sustain a prosperous — 
domestic state ;—each and all may be animated by the 
consciousness, that they are agents in accomplishing the 
ereatest work that ever was committed to human re- 
sponsibility. It is the building of a glorious temple, 
whose base shall be coextensive with the bounds of the 
earth, whose summit shall pierce the skies, whose splen- 
dor shall beam on all lands; and those who hew the 
lowliest stone, as much as those who carve the highest 
capital, will be equally honored, when its top-stone shall 
be laid, with new rejoicings of the morning stars, and 
shoutings of the sons of God. 


CHAPTER. II. 
DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR TO AMERICAN WOMEN. 


In the preceding chapter, were presented those views, 
which are calculated to inspire American women with 


a sense of their high responsibilities to their Country, — 


and to the world; and of the excellence and grandeur 
of the object to ‘which their energies may be conse- 
crated. 

But it will be found to be the law of moral action, 
that whatever involves great results and great benefits, 
is always attended with great hazards and difficulties. 
And as it has been shown, that American women have 
a loftier position, and a more elevated object of enter- 
prise, than the females of any other nation, so it will 
appear, that they have greater trials and difficulties to 





TO AMERICAN WOMEN. 39 


overcome, ae any other women are called to en 
- counter. 

Properly to appreciate the nature of these trials, it 
must be borne in mind, that the estimate of evils and 
privations depends, not so much on their positive na- 
ture, as on the character and habits of the person who 
meets them. A woman, educated in the savage state, 
finds it no trial to be destitute of many conveniences, 
which a woman, even of the lowest condition, in this 
Country, would deem indispensable to existence. So 
a woman, educated with the tastes and habits of the 
best New England or Virginia housekeepers, would 
encounter many deprivations and trials, which would 
never occur to one reared in the log cabin of a new 
settlement. So, also, a woman, who has been accus- 
tomed to carry forward her arrangements with well- 
trained domestics, would meet a thousand trials to her 
feelings and temper, by the substitution of ignorant 
foreigners, or shiftless slaves, which would be of little 
account to one who had never enjoyed any better 
service. 

Now, the larger portion of American women are the 
descendants of English progenitors, who, as a nation, 
are distinguished for systematic housekeeping, and for 
a great love of order, cleanliness, and comfort. And 
American women, to a greater or less extent, have in- 
herited similar tastes and habits. But the prosperity 
and democratic tendencies of this Country produce 
results, materially affecting the comfort of housekeep- 
ers, which the females of monarchical and. aristocratic 
lands are not called to meet. In such countries, all 
ranks and classes are fixed in a given position, and each 
person is educated for a particular sphere and style of 
living. And the dwellings, conveniences, and customs 
of life, remain very nearly the same, from generation 
to generation. This secures the preparation of all 
classes for their particular station, and makes the lower 
orders more dependent, and more subservient to em 
ployers. 





‘40 DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR 


But how different is the state of things in this Coun © 


try. Every thing is moving and changing. Persons 
in poverty, are rising to opulence, and persons of 


wealth, are sinking to poverty. The children of com — 
mon. laborers, by their talents and enterprise, are be- 
coming nobles in intellect, or wealth, or office ; while 
the children of the wealthy, enervated by indulgence, ~ 
-are sinking to humbler stations. The sons of the 
wealthy are leaving the rich mansions of their fathers, 
to dwell in the log cabins of the forest, where very 
soon they bear away the daughters of ease and refine- 
ment, to share the privations of a new settlement. 
Meantime, even in the more stationary portions of the 
community, there is a mingling of all grades of wealth, 
intellect, and education. There are no distinct classes, 
as in aristocratic lands, whose bounds are protected by 
distinct and impassable lines, but all are thrown into 
promiscuous masses. ‘Thus, persons of humble means 
are brought into contact with those of vast wealth, 
while all intervening grades are placed side by side. 
Thus, too, there is a constant comparison of conditions, 
among equals, and a constant temptation presented to 
imitate the customs, and to strive for the enjoyments, 
* of those who possess larger means. 3 

In addition to this, the flow of wealth, among all 
classes, is constantly increasing the number of those 
who live in a style demanding much hired service, — 
while the number of those, who are compelled to go to 
service, is constantly diminishing. Our manufactories, 
also, are making increased demands for female labor, 
and offering larger compensation. In consequence of 
these things, there is such a disproportion between 
those who wish to hire, and those who are willing to go 
to domestic service, that, in the non-slaveholding States 
were it not for the supply of poverty-stricken foreigners, 
there would not be a domestic for each family who de 
mands one. And this resort to foreigners, poor as it is, 
scarcely meets the demand; while the disproportion 
must every year increase, especially if our prosperity 





TO AMERICAN WOMEN. 4] 


increases. for, just in proportion as wéalth rolls in 
upon us, the number of those, who will give up their 
own independent homes to serve strangers, will be 
diminished. 

The difficulties and sufferings, which have accrued 
to American women, from this cause, are almost incal- 
culable. There is nothing, which so much demands 
system and regularity, as the affairs of a housekeeper, 
made up, as they are, of ten thousand desultory and 
minute items; and yet, this perpetually fluctuating state 
of society seems forever to bar any such system and 
regularity. ‘The anxieties, vexations, perplexities, and 
even hard labor, which come upon American women, 
- from this state of domestic service, are endless ; ea 
many a woman has, in consequence, been disheartened, 
discouraged, and ruined in health. ‘The only wonder 
is, that, amid so many real difficulties, American women 
are still able to maintain such a character for energy, 
fortitude, and amiableness, as is ore gee allowed to 
be their due. 

But the second, and still ondatee difficulty, peculiar 
to American women, is, a delicacy of constitution, 
which renders them early victims to disease and decay. 

The fact that the women of this Country are unu- 
sually subject to disease, and that their beauty and 
youthfulness are of shorter continuance than those of 
the women of other nations, is one which always at- 
tracts the attention of foreigners; while medical men 
and philanthropists are constantly giving fearful mo- 
nitions as to the extent and alarming increase of this 
evil. Investigations make it evident, that a large pro- 
portion of young ladies, from the wealthier classes, have 
the incipient stages of curvature of the spine, one of 
the most sure and fruitful causes of future disease and de- 
cay. The writer has heard medical men, who have made 
extensive inquiries, say, that a very large proportion of 
the young women at boarding schools, are affected in 
this way, while many other indications of disease and 

* D. E. 











rg 


42 DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR 


debility exist, in cases where this particular evil ‘cannot 
be detected. AN 

-In consequence of this enfeebled state on their « con- — 3 
stitutions, induced by a neglect of their physical educa- 
tion, as soon as they are called to the responsibilities _ “— 
and trials of domestic life, their constitution fails, and 
their whole existence is rendered a burden. For no 
woman can enjoy existence, when disease throws a dark 
cloud over the mind, and incapacitates her for the proper | 
discharge of every duty. és 

The writer, who for some ten years has had the charge ft 
of an institution, consisting of young ladies from almost | 
every State in the Union, since relinquishing that charge, 
has travelled and visited extensively in most of the non-— 
slaveholding States. In these circuits, she has learned 
the domestic history, not merely of her pupils, but of 
many other young wives and mothers, whose sorrowful 
experience has come to her knowledge. And the im-— 
pression, produced by the dreadful extent of this evil, has 
at times been almost overwhelming. 

It would seem as if the primeval curse, wee ae 
written the doom of pain and sorrow on one period of 
a young mother’s life, in this Country had been extend- 
ed over all; so that the hour seldom arrives, when “ she 
forgetteth her sorrow for joy that a man is born into the 
world.’”? Many a mother will testify, with shuddering, 
that the most exquisite sufferings she ever endured, were 
not those appointed by Nature, but those, which, for week 
after week, have worn down health and spirits, when 
nourishing her child. And medical men teach us, that — 
this, in most cases, results from a debility of constitution, — 
consequent. on the mismanagement of early life. And 
so frequent and so mournful are these, and the other 
distresses that result from the delicacy of the female 
constitution, that the writer has repeatedly heard moth- 
ers say, that they had wept tears of bitterness over their 
infant daughters, at the thought of the sufferings which ; 
they were destined to undergo; while they cherished ~~ 





TO AMERICAN WOMEN. | 43 
the decided wish, that these daughters should never 
marry. At the same time, many a reflecting young 
woman is looking to her future prospects, with very 
different feelings and hopes from those which Provi- 
dence designed. 
A periectly healthy woman, especially a perfectly 
healthy mother, is so unfrequent, in some of the wealth- 
ier classes, that those, who are so, may be regarded as 
the exceptions, and not as the general rule. The writer 
has heard some of her friends declare, that they would 
ride fifty miles, to see a perfectly healthy and vigorous 
woman, out of the laboring classes. This, although 
somewhat jocose, was not an entirely unfair picture of 
the true state of female health in the wealthier classes. 
There are many causes operating, which serve to per- 
petuate and increase this evil. It is a well-known fact, 
that mental excitement tends to weaken the physical 
system, unless it is counterbalanced by a corresponding 
increase of exercise and fresh air. Now, the people of 
this Country are under the influence of high commercial, 
political, and religious stimulus, altogether greater than 
_ was ever known by any other nation; and in all this, 
women are made the sympathizing companions of the 
other sex. At the same time, young girls, in pursuing 
an education, have ten times greater an amount of in- 
tellectual taxation demanded, than was ever before ex- 
acted. Let any daughter, educated in our best schools 
at this day, compare the course of her study with that 
pursued in her mother’s early life, and it will be seen 
that this estimate of the increase of mental taxation 
probably falls below the truth. Though, in some coun- 
tries, there are small classes of females, in the higher 
circles, who pursue literature and science to a far great- 
er extent than in any corresponding circles in this 
Country, yet, in no nation in the world are the advan- 
tages of a good intellectual education enjoyed, by so 
large a proportion of the females. And this education 
has consisted far less of accomplishments, and far more 
of those solid studies which demand the exercise of the 


44 DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR 
ae: 

various , powers of mind, than the education of the women 

of other lands. 

And when American women are called to the respon 
sibilities of domestic life, the degree 1 in which their minds 
and feelings are taxed, is altogether MS than it is in 
any other nation. 

No women on earth have a higher sense of their moral 
and religious responsibilities, or better understand, not 
only what is demanded of them, as housekeepers, but 
all the claims that rest upon them as wives, mothers, and 
members of a social community. An American woman, 
who is the mistress of a family, feels her obligations, in 
reference to her influence over her husband, and a still 
greater responsibility in rearing and educating her chil- 
dren. She feels, too, the claims which the moral inter-_ 
ests of her Ae ciskts have on her watchful care. In 
social life, she recognises the claims of hospitality, and 
the demands of friendly visiting. Her responsibility, in 
reference to the institutions of benevolence and religion, 
is deeply realized. The regular worship of the Lord’s 
day, and all the various religious meetings and benevo- — 
lent societies which place so much dependence on 
female influence and example, she feels obligated to 
sustain. Add to these multiplied responsibilities, the — 
perplexities and evils which have been pointed out, re- 
sulting from the fluctuating state of society, and the 
deficiency of domestic service, and no one can deny 
that American women are exposed to a far greater 
amount of intellectual and moral excitement, than those 
of any other land. Of course, in order to escape the 
danger resulting from this, a oreater amount of exercise 
in the fresh air, and all those methods which strengthen 
the constitution, are imperiously required. 

But, instead of this, it will be found, that, owing to 
the ae and customs of this Nation. there are ne 
women who secure so little of this healthful and protect 
ing regimen, as ours. Walking and riding and garden- 
ing, in the open air, are practised by the women of other 
lands, to a far greater extent, than by American females. 







oe hie Joel s'il ie an 


i; , Alin 


D om 





TO AMERICAN WOMEN. 45 


ee ; 

Most English women, in the wealthier classes, are able 
to walk six and eight miles, without oppressive fatigue ; 
and when they visit this Country, always express their 
surprise at the inactive habits of American ladies. In 
England, regular exercise, in the open air, is very com- 
monly required by the mother, as a part of daily duty, 
and is sought by young women, as an enjoyment. In 
consequence of a different physical training, English 
women, in those circles which enjoy competency, pre- 
sent an appearance which always strikes American 
gentlemen as a contrast to what they see at home. An 
English mother, at thirty, or thirty-five, is in the full 
bloom of perfected womanhood ; as fresh and healthful 
as her daughters. But where are the American moth- 
ers, who can reach this period unfaded and unworn? 
In America, young ladies of the wealthier classes are 
sent to school from early childhood ; and neither parents 
nor teachers make it a definite object to secure a proper 
amount of fresh air and exercise, to counterbalance this 
intellectual taxation. As soon as their school days are 
over, dressing, visiting, evening parties, and stimulating 
amusements, take the place of study, while the most un- 
healthful modes of dress add to the physical exposures. 
To make morning calls, or do a little shopping, is all 
that can be termed their exercise in the fresh air; and 
this, compared to what is needed, is absolutely nothing, 
and on some.accounts is worse than nothing.* | In con- 
sequence of these, and other evils, which will be point- 
ed out more at large in the following pages, the young 
women of America grow up with such a delicacy of 
constitution, that probably eight out of ten become sub- 
jects of disease, either before or as soon as they are 
called to the responsibilities of domestic life. 

But there is one peculiarity of situation, in regard to 
American women, which makes this delicacy of consti- 


* $> little idea have most ladies, in the wealthier classes, of what is 
a proper amount of exercise, that, if they should succeed in walking 
a mile or so, at a moderate pace, three or four times a week, they 
would call it taking a great deal of exercise. 


view of this part of the subject, which any one, ree? ; 
with Western life, will admire for its verisimihtade.” | 







46 ss DIFFICULTIES PECULIAR 


tution still more disastrous. It is the liability to the . 
exposures and hardships of a newly-settled country. 
One more extract from De Tocqueville will give a_ 


“The same strength of purpose which the young 
wives of America display in bending themselves, at 
once, and without repining, to the austere duties of 
their new condition, is no less manifest in all the great 
trials of their lives. In no country in the world, are _ 
private fortunes more precarious, than in the United 
States. It is not uncommon for the same man, in the ~— 
course of his life, to rise and sink again through all the —_ 
grades which lead from opulence to poverty. American 
women support these vicissitudes with a calm and un- 
quenchable energy. It would seem that their desires 
contract, as easily as they expand, with their fortunes. 
The greater part of the adventurers, who migrate, every — 


‘ oe mas Ma ee 
Pe ae eee ee ae 


year, to people the Western wilds, belong” “to the old 


Anglo-American race of the Northern States. Many 
of these men, who rush so boldly onward in pursuit of 
wealth, were already in the enjoyment of a competency 
in their own part of the Country. They take their 
wives along with them, and make them share the count- 
less perils and privations, which always attend the com- 
mencement of these expeditions. I have often met, 
even on the verge of the wilderness, with young women, 
who, after having been brought up amid all the com- 
forts of the large towns of New England, had passed, 
almost without any intermediate stage, from the wealthy 
abode of their parents, to a comfortless hovel in a forest. 
Fever, solitude, and a tedious life, had not broken the 
springs of their courage. Their features were impaired 
and faded, but their looks were firm: they appeared to 
be, at once, sad and resolute.” 
In another passage, he gives this picturesque sketch : 

“ By the side of the hearthy sits a woman, with a baby 
on her lap. She nods to us, without disturbing herself. 
Like the pioneer, this woman is in the prime of life; 


PE Re rg RE VAS ey ot Syed Atle Seats ee de 2 oe 
Taf gee <e' Kea . Te SS as 





TO AMERICAN WOMEN. AT 


her appearance would seem superior to her condition: 

and her apparel even betrays a lingering taste for dress. 
But her delicate limbs appear shrunken ; her features 
are drawn in; her eye is mild and melancholy. : her 
whole physiognomy bears marks of a degree of religious 
resignation, a deep quiet of all passion, and some sort 
of natural and tranquil firmness, ready to meet all the 
ills of life, without fearing and without braving them. 
Her children cluster about her, full of health, turbu- 
lence, and energy ; they are true children of the wilder- 
ness: their mother watches them, from time to time, 
with mingled melancholy and joy. To look at their 
strength, and her languor, one might imagine that the 
life she had given them had exhausted her own; and 
still she regrets not what they have cost her. The 
house, inhabited by these emigrants, has no internal 
partition or loft. In the one chamber of which it con- 
sists, the whole family is gathered for the night. The 
dwelling is itself a little world; an ark of civilization 
amid an ocean of foliage. A hundred steps beyond it, 
the primeval forest spreads its shades, and solitude re- 
sumes its sway.” 

Such scenes, and such women, the writer has met, 
and few persons realize how many refined and lovely 
women are scattered over the broad prairies and deep 
forests of the West; and none, but the Father above, 
appreciates the extent of those sacrifices and sufferings, 
and the value of that firm faith and religious hope, which | 
live, in perennial bloom, amid those vast solitudes. If 
the American women of the East merit the palm, for 
their skill and success as accomplished housekeepers, 
still more is due to the heroines of the West, who, with 
such unyielding fortitude and cheerful endurance, at- 
tempt similar duties, amid so many disadvantages ‘and 
deprivations. 

But, though inpivelidan women have those elevated 
principles and feelings, which enable them to meet such 
trials in so exemplary a manner, their physical energies 
are not equal to the exertions demanded. ‘Though the 





youth, may be envied ‘rather than pitied, as she shares = 


ra 


48 REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 







‘ 


mind may be bright and firm, the casket is shivered Fase: 
though the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. A 
woman of firm health, with the hope and elasticity of 


with her young husband the hopes and enterprises of 
pioneer life. But, when the body fails, then the eye 
of hope grows dim, the heart sickens, the courage dies; 
and, in solitude, weariness, and suffering, the wanderer 
pines for the dear voices and the tender sympathies of 
a far distant home. Then it is, that the darkest shade ~~ 
is presented, which marks the peculiar trials and liabili- 
ties of American women, and which exhibits still more 
forcibly the disastrous results of that delicacy of consti- — 
tution which has been pointed out. For, though all 
American women, or even the greater part of them, are 

not called to encounter such trials, yet no mother, who 
rears a family of daughters, can say, that such a lot will 

not fall to one of her flock; nor can she know which 
will escape. ‘The reverses of fortune, and the chances 

of matrimony, expose every woman in the Nation to 
such liabilities, for which she needs to be prepared. — 


Pee er Wel ee 


5 iy. oe 


CHAPTER. IIL. 


REMEDIES FOR THE PRECEDING DIFFICULTIES. 


Havine pointed out the peculiar responsibilities of 
American women, and the peculiar embarrassments 
which they are called to encounter, the following sug- 
gestions are offered, as remedies for such difficulties. 

In the first place, the physical and domestic educa- 
tion of daughters should occupy the principal attention 
of mothers, in childhood; and the stimulation of the 
intellect should be. very much reduced. Asageneral 
rule, daughters should not be sent to school before they 
are six years old; and, when they are sent, far more 
attention should be paid to their physical developement, : 





REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 49 


than is usually done. ‘They should never be confined, 
at any employment, more than an hour at a time; and 
this confinement should be followed by sports’ in the 
open air. Such accommodations should be secured, 
that, at all seasons, and in all weathers, the teacher can 
every half hour send out a portion of her school, for 
sports. And still more care should be given to preserve 
pure air in the schoolroom. The close stoves, crowded 
condition, and poisonous air, of most schoolrooms, act « 
as constant drains on the health and strength of young 
children. 

In addition to this, much less time should be given 
to school, and much more to domestic employments, 
especially in the wealthier classes. A little girl may 
begin, at five or six years of age, to assist her mother; 
and, if properly trained, by the time she is ten, she can 
fouder essential aid. From this time, until ae is four- 
teen or fifteen, it should be the principal object of her 
- education to secure a strong and healthy constitution, 
and a thorough practical knowledge of all kinds of do- 
mestic employments. During this period, though some 
attention ought to be paid to intellectual culture, it 
ought to be made altogether secondary in importance ; 
and such a measure of study and intellectual excitement, 
as is now demanded in our best female seminaries, ought 
never to be allowed, until a young lady has passed the 
most critical period of her youth, and has a vigorous 
and healthful constitution fully established. The plan 
might be adopted, of having schools for young girls 
kept only in the afternoon; that their mornings might 
be occupied in domestic exercise, without interfering 
with school employments. Where a proper supply of 
domestic exercise cannot be afforded, the cultivation of 
flowers and fruits might be resorted to, as a delightful 
and unfailing promotive of pleasure and health. 

And it is to that class of mothers, who have the best _ 
means of securing hired service, and who are the most 
tempted to allow their daughters to grow up with in- 
active habits, that their Country and the world must 

9) D. EF 






~< 


50 ‘REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. — 


look for a reformation, in this respect. | Whatever — 
ladies in the wealthier classes decide shall be fashion- 
able, will be followed by all the rest; but, while they _ 
persist in the aristocratic habits, now so common, and 
bring up their daughters to feel as if labor was degrading 
and unbecoming, the evils pointed out will never 
find a remedy. It is, therefore, the peculiar duty of a 
ladies, who have wealth, to set a proper example, in 
' this particular, and make it their first aim to secure a 
strong and healthful constitution for their daughters, by — 
active domestic employments. All the sweeping, dust- 

ing, care of furniture and beds, the clear starching, and 

the nice cooking, should be done by the daughters of a 
family, and not by hired servants. It may cost the 
mother more care, and she may find it needful to hire 

a person for the express purpose of instructing and 
superintending her daughters, in these employments; _ 
but it should be regarded as indispensable to be secured, 
either by the mother’s agency, or by a substitute. : 

It is in this point of view, that the dearth of good 
domestics in this Country may, in its results, prove a 
substantial blessing. If all housekeepers, who have the 
means, could secure good servants, there would be little 
hope that so important a revolution, in the domestic 
customs of the wealthy classes, could be effected. And 
so great is the natural indolence of mankind, that the. 
amount of exercise, needful for health, will never be 
secured by those who are led to it through no necessity, 
but merely from rational considerations. Yet the 
pressure of domestic troubles, from the want of good 
domestics, has already determined many a mother, in 
the wealthy classes, to train her daughters to aid her 
in domestic service; and thus necessity is compelling 
mothers to do what abstract. principles of expediency 

could never secure. "ae 

A second method of promoting the same object, is, 
to raise the science and practice of Domestic Economy 
to its appropriate place, as a regular study in female 
seminaries. ‘The succeeding chapter will present the 


pee. See aon et 


may Bite, —_<« ~ * \ 





_ REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 5] 


reasons for this, more at large. ~ But it is to the mothers 
of our Country, that the community must look for this 
change. It cannot be expected, that teachers, who 
have their attention chiefly absorbed by the intellectual 
and moral interests of their pupils, should properly 
realize the importance of this department of education 
But if mothers generally become convinced of this, their 
judgement and wishes will meet the respectful consid 
eration they deserve, and the object will be accomplished. 

The third method of securing a remedy for the evils 
pointed out, is, the endowment of female institutions, 
under the care of suitable trustees, who shall secure a 
proper course of education. The importance of this 
measure cannot be realized by those, who have not 
turned their attention to this subject ; and for such, the 
following considerations are presented. 

The endowment of colleges, and of law, medical, and 
divinity, schools, for the other sex, is designed to secure 
a thorough and proper education, for those who have 
the most important duties of society to perform. The 
men who are to expound the laws, the men who have 
the care of the public health, and the men who are to 
communicate religious instruction, should have well- 
disciplined and well-informed minds; and it is mainly 
for this object that collegiate and professional institu- 
tions are established. Liberal and wealthy individuals 
contribute funds, and the legislatures of the States also 
lend assistance, so that every State in this Nation has 
from one to twenty such endowed institutions, supplied 
with buildings, apparatus, a library, and a faculty of 
learned men to carry forward a superior course of In- 
struction. And the use of all these advantages is 
secured, in many cases, at an expense, no greater than 
is required to send a boy to a common school and pay 
his board there. No private school could offer these 
advantages, without charging such a sum, as would 
forbid all but the rich from securing its benefits. By 
furnishing such superior advantages, on low terms, mul- 
titudes are properly educated, who would otherwise 






Me REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 


remain in ignorance; and thus the professions a are sup 
plied, by men properly qualified for them. oe 

Were there no such institutions, and no focus ond ) 
appropriate course of study demanded for admission , 
to the bar, the pulpit, and to medical practice, the 
education of most professional men would be desultory, 
imperfect, and deficient. Parents and children would i 
regulate the course of study according to their own 
crude notions ; and, instead of having institutions which 
agree in carrying on a similar course of study, each 
school would have its own peculiar system, and com- 
pete and conflict with every other. Meantime, the 
public would have no means of deciding which was 
best, nor any opportunity for learning when a profes- 
“sional man was properly qualified for his duties. But 
as it is, the diploma of a college, and. the license of an 
appointed body of judges, must both be secured, before 
a young man feels that he has entered the most prom- | 
Ising path to success in his profession. . 
Our Country, then, is most abundantly supplied with 
_ endowed institutions, which secure a liberal education, 
on such low terms as make them accessible to all class- 
es, and in which the interests of education are watched 
over, sustained, and made permanent, by an appropri- 
ute board of trustees. 

But are not the most responsible of all duties com- 
mitted to the charge of woman? Is it not her profes- 
sion to take care of mind, body, and soul? and that, 
too, at the most critical of all periods of existence? 
And is it not as much a matter of public concern, 
that she should be properly qualified for her duties, — 
as that ministers, lawyers, and physicians, should be ~ 
prepared for theirs ? And is it not as important, to 
endow institutions which shall make a superior educa- — 


tion accessible to all classes,—for females, as for the i: 
other sex? And is it not equally important, that insti- i 
tutions for females be under the supervision of. intelli- 
gent and responsible trustees, whose duty it shall be to 


secure a uniform and appropriate education for one sex 
‘ 
% 





REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 53 


as much as for the other? It would seem as if every 
mind must accord an affirmative reply, as soon as the 
matter is fairly considered. 


As the education of females is now erected. any — 


man or woman whe pleases, can establish a female 
seminary, and secure recommendations which will at- 
tract pupils. But whose business is it to see that these 
young females are not huddled into crowded rooms? or 
that they do not sleep in ill-ventilated chambers? or 
that they have healthful food? or that they have the 


requisite amount of fresh air and exercise? or that they 


pursue an appropriate and systematic course of study? 
or that their manners, principles,‘and morals, are prop- 
erly regulated ? Parents either have not the means, or 
else are not qualified to judge; or, if they are furnished 
with means and capacity, they are often restricted to a 
choice of the best school within reach, even when it is 
known to be exceedingly objectionable. 

If the writer were to disclose all that can truly be 
told of boarding-school life, and its influence on health, 
-manners, disposition, intellect, and morals, the dis- 
closure would both astonish and shock every rational 
mind. And yet she believes that such institutions are 
far better managed in this Country, than in any other; 
and that the number of those, which are subject to im- 
putations in these respects, is much less than could 
reasonably be expected. But it is most surely the case, 
that much remains to be done, in order to supply such 
institutions as are needed for the proper education of 
American women. K 

In attempting a sketch of the kind of institutions 
which are demanded, it is very fortunate that there is 
no necessity for presenting a theory, which may, or 
may not, be approved by experience. It is the greatest 
honor of one of our newest Western States, that 1t can 
boast of such an Institution, endowed, too, wholly by 


the munificence of a single Ae en A slight sketch 


of this Institution, which the writer has examiried in all 
; 5% DE 










54 REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. | 


its details, will give an idea of what can be done, by 
showing what has actually been accomplished. 

This Institution * is under the supervision of a maids 
of Trustees, who hold the property in trust for the ob- 
ject to which it is devoted, and who have the power to- 
fill their own vacancies. It is furnished with a noble 
and tasteful building, of stone, so liberal in dimensions 
and arrangement, that it can geccommodate ninety pupils 
and teachers, giving one room to every two pupils, and 
all being so arranged, as to admit of thorough ventila- 
tion. This building i is surrounded by extensive grounds, 
enclosed with ancdesne fences, where remains of the 
primeval forest still offer refreshing shade for juvenile 
sports. 

To secure adequate exercise for the pupils, two 
methods are adopted. By the first, each young lady is 
required to spend a certain portion ‘of time in domestic 
employments, either in sweeping, dusting, settmg and 
clearing tables, washing and ironing, or other household 
concerns. 

Let not the aristocratic mother and daughter express i 
their dislike of such an arrangement, till they can learn : 
how well it succeeds. Let them walk, as the writer 
has done, through the large airy halls, kept clean and 

‘in order by their fair occupants, to the washing and 
ironing-rooms. There they will see a long hall, con- 


veniently fitted up with some thirty neatly-painted tubs, 
with a clean floor, and water conducted so as to save —_— 
both labor and slopping. Let them see some thirty or : 


forty merry girls, superintended by a motherly lady, 
chatting and singing, washing and starching, while every i 
convenience is at hand, and every thing around is clean ° — 
and comfortable. Two hours, thus employed, enable _ 4 


* The writer omits the name of this Institution, lest an inference should 
be drawn which would be unjust to other institutions. There are others 
equally worthy of notice, and the writer selects this only because her atten- | 
tion was especially directed to it as being in a new State, and endowed whol- 
ly by an individual. 


han, Tae 


ip <P 1 Ee eee NG eS 


ate 
mae 





REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES 99 


each young lady to wash the articles she used during the 
previous week, which is all that is demanded, while 
thus they are all practically initiated into the arts and. 
mysteries of the wash-tub. ‘The Superintendent re- 
marked to the writer, that, after a few weeks of proba- 
tion, most of her young ‘washers. succeeded quite as 
well as those whom she could hire, and who made it 
their business. Adjacent to the washing-room, is the 
ironing establishment ; where another class are arranged, 
on the ironing-day, around long, extended tables, with 
Rare TRACSS, clothes-frames, and all needful appli- 
ances. 

By a systematic arrangement of school and domestic 
duties, a moderate portion of time, usually not exceed- 


ing two hours a day, from each of the pupils, accom- 


plished all the domestic labor of a family of ninety, 
- except the cooking, which was done by two hired do- 
mestics. This part of domestic labor it was deemed 
inexpedient to incorporate as a portion of the business 
of the pupils, inasmuch as it could not be accommo- 
dated to the arrangements of the pelinal and was in 
other respects objectionable. 

Is it asked, how-can young ladies eave play the 
plano, and study, when their bands and dresses must 
be unfitted by such drudgery? ‘The woman who asks 
this question, has yet to learn that a pure and delicate 
skin is better secured by healthful exercise, than by any 
other method ; and that.a young lady, who will spend 
two hours a day at the wash-tub, or with a broom, is 
far more likely to have rosy cheeks, a finely-moulded 
form, and a delicate skin, than one who lolls all day in 
her parlor or chamber, or only leaves it, girt in tight 
dresses, to make fashionable calls. It is true, that long- 
protracted daily labor hardens the hand, and unfits it 
for delicate employments; but the amount of labor 
needful for health produces no such effect. As to 
dress, and appearance, if neat and convenient accom- 
modations are furnished, there is no occasion for the 
exposures which demand shabby dresses. A dark cali 








ene Mees es 
56 REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 


co, genteelly ide: with an oiled-silk apron, ith witte: 


cuffs of the same material, secures both good looks and 


good service. This plan of domestic employments for — 
the pupils in this Institution, not only secures regular 
healthful exercise, but also aids to reduce the expenses 


of education, so that, with the help of the endowments, 

it is brought ‘within the reach of many, who otherwise 

could never gain such advantages. * = 
In addition to this, a system “of Calisthenic* exercises 


is introduced, which secures all the advantages which 


dancing is supposed to effect, and which is free from 


the dangerous tendencies of that fascinatmg and fash- 
ionable amusement. This system is so combined with 


music, and constantly varying evolutions, as to serve as 
an amusement, and also as a mode of curing distor- 


tions, particularly all tendencies to curvature of the — 


spine; while, at the same time, it tends to prener 
grace of movement, and easy manners. | 


Another advantage of this Institution, is, an eldedietk 


and invigorating course of mental discipline. - Many 


rsons seem to suppose, that the chief object of an 


intellectual education is the acquisition of knowledge. 
But it will be found, that this is only a secondary ob- 
ject. The formation of habits of investigation, of 


correct reasoning, of persevering attention, of regular 
system, of accurate analysis, and of vigorous mental 
action, 1s the primary object to be sought in pre- 
paring American women for their arduous duties ; 


duties which will demand not only quickness of per- 


ception, but steadiness of purpose, regularity of system, 


and perseverance m action. 
It is for such purposes, that the discipline of the 
Mathematics is so important an element in female 


* From two Greek words,—vaios, kalos, beauty, and obevoc, sthe- 
nos, strength, being the union of both. The writer is now preparing 
for the press, an improved system, of her own invention, which, in 
some of its parts, has been successfully introduced into several female 


seminar’es, with advantage. This plan combines singing witha great ~ 3 
variety of amusing and graceful evolutions, designed to promote both 


health and easy manners. 
t 







< 
nN gts) ali” Ae 





REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 54 


education; and it is in this aspect, that the mere 
acquisition of facts, and the attamment of accomplish- 
ments, should be made of altogether secondary ac- 
count. ne ae ; 

_ In the Institution here described, a systematic course. 
of study is adopted, as in our colleges; designed to 
occupy three years. ‘The following slight outline of 
the course, will exhibit the liberal plan adopted in this 
respect. 

In Mathematics, the whole of Arithmetic contained 
in the larger works used in schools, the whole of Eu 
clid, and such portions from Day’s Mathematics as are 
requisite to enable the pupils to demonstrate the various 
problems in Olmsted’s larger work on Natural Philoso- 
phy. In Language, besides English Grammar, a short 
course in Latin is required, sufficient to secure an un- 
derstanding of the philosophy of the language, and that 
kind of mental discipline which the exercise of trans- 
lating affords. In Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy, 
Botany, Geology and Mineralogy, Intellectual and Mor- 
al Philosophy, Political Economy, and the Evidences 
of Christianity, the same textbooks are used as are re- 
quired at our best colleges. In Geography, the most 
thorough course is adopted; and in History, a more 
complete knowledge is secured, by means of charts and 
textbooks, than most of our colleges offer. To these 
branches, are added Griscom’s Physiology¥ Bigelow’s 
Technology, and_Jahn’s Archeology, together with a 
course of instruction in polite literature, for which 
Chambers’s English Literature is employed as the text- 
book, each recitation being attended with selections and 
criticisms, from teacher or pupils, on the various authors. 
brought into notice. Vocal Music, on the plan of the 
Boston Academy, is a part of the daily instructiong. 


* This work, which has gone through numerous editions, and been recei¥- 
ed by the public with great favour, forms No. Ixxxv. of the “ Family Libra- 
ry,” and No. lvii. of the ‘* Schocl District Library,” issued by the publishers 
of this volume. It is zbundantly illustrated by engravings, and has been ex: 
tensively introduced as a school text-book. 












2 ¢ i P ‘ S te eee 
58  § REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 


Linear drawing, and pencilling, are designed also to t 
a part.of the course. Instrumental Music is taught, but — 
not as a part of the regular course of study. 
T'o secure the proper instruction in all these branches, 
the division of labor, adopted in ‘colleges, is pursued. 
Each teacher has distinct branches as her department, 
for which she is responsible, and in which she is inde- 
pendent. One teacher performs the duties of a gov- . 
erness, in maintaining rules, and attending to the habits 
and manners of the pupils. By this method, the teach- 
ers have sufficient time, both to prepare themselves, 
~ and to impart instruction and illustratiom in the class- 
room. In this Institution it is made a direct object of 
effort to cure defects of character and habits. At the 
frequent meetings of the Principal and teachers, the 
peculiarities of each pupil are made the subjects of in- 
quiry’; and methods are devised for remedying defects 
through the personal influence of the several teachers. — 
This, when thus made a direct object of combined effort, 
often secures results most gratifying and encouraging. » 
One peculiarity of this Institution demands consid-— 
eration. By the method adopted here, the exclusive 
business of educating their own sex is, as it ever ought 
to be, confined to females. The Principal of the In- — 
stitution, indeed, is a gentleman; but, while he takes 
the position of a. father of the family, and responsible 
head of the whole concern, the entire charge of in~ 
struction, and most of the responsibilities in regard to 
health, morals, and manners, rest upon the female 
teachers, in their several departments. The ‘Principal 
is the chaplain and religious teacher ; and is a member 
of the board of instructers, so far as to have a right to 
advise, and an equal vote, in every question pertaining 
to the concerns of the School; and thus he acts as a 
sort of regulator and mainspring in all the various de- 
partments. But no one person in the Institution is 
loaded with the excessive responsibilities, which rest. 
upon one, where a large institution of this kind has a 
Principal, who employs and directs all the subordinate 


gs SE ae PM 0 a Se el i ie in oe ~ = > # Sie ia 
re ee ra ‘ ae : 

ee SSS ne o : ;: 

“ a ae ¢ : 


REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 5Y 


assistants. The writer is never before seen the prin- : 
ciple of the division of labor and responsibility so per- 4 
fectly carried out in any female institution; and she a 
- believes that experience will prove that this is the true | 
model for combining, in appropriate proportions, the 
agency of both sexes in carrying forward such an insti- 

- tution. ‘There are cases where females are well quali- 
fied, and feel willing to take the place occupied by the 
Principal ; but such cases are rare. 

One thing more should be noticed, to the credit of 
the rising State where this Institution is located. <A 
female association has been formed, embracing a large ® 
portion of the ladies of standing and wealth, the design 
of which, is, to educate, sratuitously, at this, and other 
similar, institutions, such females as are anxious to ob- 
tain a good education, and are destitute of the means. 

If this enterprise is continued, with the same energy and 
perseverance as has been manifested during the last few 
years, that State will take the lead of her sister States 

in well-educated women; and if the views in the pre- 
ceding pages are correct, this will give her precedence 4 
in every intellectual and moral advantage. 

Many, who are not aware of the eréat economy se- 
cured by a proper division of labor, will not understand 
how s0 extensive a course can be properly completed 
in three years. But in this Institution, none are re- 
ceived under fourteen ; and a certain amount of pre- 
vious acquisition is required, in order to admission, as is 
done in our colleges. -This secures a diminution of 

classes, so that but few studies are pursued at one 
time ; while the number of well-qualified teachers is so 
adequate, that full time is afforded for all needful in- 
struction and illustration. Where teachers have so 
many classes, that they merely have time to find out 
what the pupils learn from books, without any aid from 
ther teachers, the acquisitions of the pupils are vague 
and inxperfect, and ‘soon pass away; so that an im- 
meuse amount of expense, time, and labor, is spent in 
acquilimeg or fecaliing what is lost about as fast as it is 
gained. 





‘ 






60 REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. — 


Parents are little aware of the immense waste incurred 
by the present mode of conducting female education. — 
In the wealthy classes, young girls are sent to school, ox 
as a matter of course, year after year, confined, for six 
hours a day, to the schoolhouse, and réquited toadd: 

some time out of school to learning their lessons. Thus, - — 
during the most critical period of life, they are for a 
long time immured in a room, filled with an atmosphere 
vitiated by many breaths, and are constantly kept under 
- some sort of responsibility in regard to mental effort, = 
Their studies are pursued at random, often changed = 
* with changing schools, while book after book (heavily ; 
taxing the parent’s purse) is conned awhile, and ther. 
supplanted by others. ‘Teachers have usually so many . 
pupils, and such a variety of branches to teach, that 4 
little time can be afforded to each pupil; while scholars, = 
at this thoughtless period of life, feeling sure of going 
to school as long as they please, manifest little interest 
in their pursuits. ee 

The writer believes that the actual amount of educas : 
tion, permanently secured by most young ladies from 
the age of ten to fourteen, could all be acquired in one 

year, at the Institution described, by a young is ath 
the age of fifteen or sixteen. a 

Instead of such a course as the common one, if 
mothers would keep their daughters as their domestic. 
assistants, until they are fourteen, requiring them to 
study one lesson, and go out, once a day, to recite it to 
a teacher, it would abundantly prepare them, after their — 
constitutions are firmly established, to enter such an 
institution, where, in three years, they could secure 
more, than almost any young lady in the Country 
now gains by giving the whole of her youth to school 
pursuits. 

In the early years of female life, reading, sities : 
needlework, drawing, and music, should alternate with 
domestic duties ; apd one hour a day, devoted to some 
study, in addition to the above pursuits, would be all 
that is needful to prepare them for a thorough educa- 


Re 


>v 
ar ae ' Z 
wt ; . i ite hs ee P Te wey ah A ae 
SER Se es eT ee SY ee Big he es, Ne 


“er » eel eee m2 es be yt, ok A > * Ps) “a Rl bw 
FS ee a oe » ; , . “aos , Bes 

eae ae eee "i F a aoe ; 4 

Oe AC eae ’ x Lagi 


REMEDIES FOR THESE DIFFICULTIES. 61 


tion after growth is attained, and the constitution estab 

lished. This is the time when young women would 

feel the value of an education, and pursue their studies 

with that maturity of mind, and vividness. of interest, : 
which would double the perpetuity and value of all 
their acquisitions. ' | 

The great difficulty, which opposes such a plan, is, 
the want of institutions that would enable a young lady 
to complete, in three years, the liberal course of study, 
here described. But if American mothers become con- 
vinced of the importance of such advantages for their 
daughters, and will use their influence appropriately - 
and efficiently, they will certainly be furnished. There 
are.other men of liberality and wealth, besides the indi- 
vidual referrea to. who can be made to feel that a for- 
tune, expended in securing an appropriate education to 
American women, is as wisely bestowed, as in founding 
colleges for the other sex, who are already so abundant- 
ly supplied. We ought to have institutions, similar 
to the one described, in every part of this Nation; 
and funds should be provided, for educating young 
women destitute of means: and if American women 
think and feel, that, by such a method, their own trials 
will be lightened, and their daughters will secure a 
healthful constitution and a thorough domestic and in- 
tellectual education, the appropriate expression of their 
wishes will secure the necessary funds. The tide of 
charity, which has been so long flowing from the female 
hand to provide a liberal education for young men, will 
flow back with abundant remuneration. 

The last method suggested for lessening the evils pe- 
culiar to American women, is, a decided effort to oppose 
the aristocratic feeling, that labor is degrading ; and to 
bring about the impression, that it is refined and lady- 
like to engage in domestic pursuits. In past ages, and 
in aristocratic countries, leisure and indolence and friv- 
olous pursuits have been deemed lady-like and refined, 
because those classes, which were most refined, counte- 
nanced such an opinion. But whenever ladies of refine 

6 D. E. 








62 


_ ment, as a general custom, patiouing domestic aan 
then these employments will be deemed lady-like. 


may be urged, however, that it is impossible fora woman _ 





who cooks, washes, avid sweeps, to appear in the dress, 
or acquire the habits and manners, of a lady; that the 


drudgery of the kitchen is dirty work, and that noone 
can appear delicate and refined, while engaged in it. — 
Now all this depends on’ circumstances. If awoman 
nas a house, destitute of neat and convenient facilities ; a 


if she has no habits of order and system; if she is re- 


miss and careless in person and dress ;—then all this 


may be true. But, if a woman will make some sacri- 
fices of costly ornaments in her parlor, in order to make 
her kitchen neat and tasteful; if she will sacrifice .ex- 
pensive dishes, in order to secure such conveniences for 


labor as protect from exposures; if she will take pains 


to have the dresses, in which she works, made of suita- 
ble materials, and in. good taste; if she will rise early, 
and systematize and oversee the work of her family, so 
as to have it done thoroughly, neatly, and in the early 


part of the day; she will find no necessity for any such — . 


apprehensions. It is because such work has generally 


been done by vulgar people, and in a vulgar way, that 


we have such associations; and when ladies manage — 


such things, as ladies should, then such associations will 


be removed. ‘There are pursuits, deemed very refined 


and genteel, which involve quite as much exposure as 


kitchen employments. For example, to draw a large ~ 


landscape, in colored crayons, would be deemed very 
lady-like ; but the writer can testify, from sad experi- 


ence, that no cooking, washing, sweeping, or any other 


domestic duty, ever left such deplorable traces on hands; 
face, and dress, as this same lady-like pursuit. Such 


things depend entirely on custom and associations ; and 
every American woman, who values the institutions of 


her Country, and wishes to lend her influence in exe 


tending and perpetuating such blessings, may feel that 


7 


she is doing this, whenever, by her example and influ. — ; 


ence, she destroys the aristocratic association, which 
would render domestic labor degrading. 


& 





\ 


DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF sTUDy. 63 


CHAPTER IV. 
ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A BRANCH OF STUDY 


Tur greatest impediment to making Domestic Econ 


omy a branch of study, is, the fact, that neither parents 


nor teachers realize the importance, or the practicability 
of constituting it a regular part of school education. 

It is with reference to this, that the first aim of the 
writer will be, to point out some of the reasons for in- 
troducing Domestic Economy as a branch of female 


education, to be studied at school. 


The first reason, is, that there is no period, in a 
young lady’s life, when she will not find such knowledge 
useful to herself and to others. ‘The state of domestic 
service, in this Country, is so precarious, that there is 
scarcely a family, in the free States, of whom it can be 
affirmed, that neither sickness, discontent, nor love of 
change, will deprive them of all their domestics, so that 
every female member of the family will be required to 
lend some aid, in providing food and the conveniences 
of living; and the better she is qualified to render it, 


the happier she will be, and the more she will contribute 


to the enjoyment of others. 


A second reason, is, that every young lady, at the 


close of her schooldays, and even before they are closed, 
is liable to be placed in a situation, in which she will 
need to do, herself, or to teach others to do, all the va- 


rious processes and duties detailed in this work. ‘That : 


this may be more fully realized, the writer will detail 
some instances, which have come under her own obser- 
vation. 

The eldest daughter of a family returned from school, 
on a Visit, at sixteen years of age. Before her vacation 
had closed, her mother was laid in the grave; and such 
were her father’s circumstances, that she was obliged to 
assume the cares and duties of her lost parent. The 


a 7 > 
tgs ne Les Cae oe 
De an BS tie Sa te 











64 DOMESTIC ECONOMY AS A 


_care of an infant, the management of young chides? 
the superintendence of domestics, the charge of family 
expenses, the responsibility of entertaining company, 
and the many other cares of the family state, all at once’ Ja 
came upon this young and inexperienced schoolgirl. < 
Again; a young lady went to reside with a are si 
sister, in a distant State. While on this visit, the elder 
sister died, and there was no one but this young ladyto 
fill the vacant place, and assume all the cares of the 
nursery, parlor, and kitchen. i ce 
Again; a pupil of the writer, at the end of haan achibe: a 
days, married, and removed to the West. She wasan 
entire novice in all domestic matters; an utter stranger 
in the place to which she removed. In a year, she be- 
came a mother, and her health failed ; while, for most 
of the time, she had no domestics, at all, or only Irish | 
or Germans, who scarcely knew even the names, or the 
uses, of many cooking utensils. She was treated with — 
politeness by her neighbors, and wished to return their | 
civilities ; but how could this young and delicate crea- 
ture, who had spent all her life at school, or in visiting __ 
and amusement, take care of her infant, attend to her — 
cooking, washing, ironing, and baking, the concerns of 
her parlor, chambers, kitchen, and cellar, and yet visit 
and receive company? If there is any thing that would 
make a kindly heart ache, with sorrow and sympathy, 
it would be to see so young, so amiable, so helpless a 
martyr to the mistaken system of female education now — 
prevalent. “I have the kindest of husbands,’’ said the 
young wife, after her narrative of sufferings, “and I 
never regretted my marriage ; but, since this babe was 
born, I have never had a single waking hour of freedom 
from anxiety and care. O! how little young girls know 
what is before them, when they enter married life!” 
Let the mother or teacher, whose eye may rest on these 
lines, ask herself, if there i is no cause for fear that the 
young objects of her care may be thrown into similar 
emergencies, where they may need a kind of bide. 
tion, which as yet has been withheld. 





BRANCH OF STUDY. 65 


_ Another reason for introducing such a subject, as a 
distinct branch of school education, is, that, as a general 
fact, young ladies will not be taught these things in any 
other way. In reply to the thousand-times-repeated 
remark, that girls must be taught their domestic duties 
by their mothers, at home, it may be inquired, in the 
first place, What proportion of mothers are qualified te 
teach a proper and complete system of Domestic Econ 
omy? When this is answered, it may be asked, What 
proportion of those who are qualified, have that sense 
of the importance of such instructions, and that energy 
and perseverance which would enable them actually to 
teach their daughters, in all the branches of Domestic 
Economy presented in this work ? 

It may then be asked, How many mothers actually do 
give their daughters instruction in the various branches 
of Domestic Economy ? ? Is it not the case, that, owing 
to ill health, deficiency of domestics, and multiplied cares 
and perplexities, a large portion of the most intelligent 
mothers, and those, too, who most realize the importance 
of this instruction, actually cannot find the time, and 
have not the energy, necessary to properly perform the 
duty? Theyare taxed to the full amount of both their 
mental and physical energies, and cannot attempt any 
thing more. Almost every woman knows, that it is 
easier to do the work, herself, than it is to teach an 
awkward and careless novice; and the great majority 
of women, in this Country, are obliged to do almost 
every thing in the shortest and easiest way. ‘This is 
one reason why the daughters of very energetic and ac- 
complished housekeepers are often the most deficient 
in these respects; while the daughters of ignorant or 
inefficient mothers, driven to the exercise of their 
own energies, often become the most systematic and 
expert. 

It may be objected, that such things cannot be taught 
by books. This position may fairly be questioned. Do 
not young ladies learn, from books, how to make hydro- 
gen and oxygen? Do they not have pictures of fur 

= D. E. 





oan Bees. Oe ie 





® 


_ why ought we not to make sure of the most necessary 


i 2 
ae) a 













06. . DOMESTIC ECONOMY (AS AD 


naces, alembics, and the various teats employe 
cooking the chemical agents? Do they not study 
various processes of mechanics, and learn to understa 
and to do many as difficult operations, as any that. b 
long to housekeeping? All these things are explaine 
studied, and recited in classes, when every one knows 
that little practical use can ever be made of this knowl- 
edge. Why, then, should not that science and art, — 
which a woman is to practise during her whole life, be a. 
studied and recited ? a 
It may be urged, that, even if it is studied, it will ae 
soon be forgotten. And so will much of every thing 
studied at school, But why should that knowledge, — 
most needful for daily comfort, most liable to be in de- _ 
mand, be the only study omitted, because it may be - 
forgotten 3 ? :3 
It may also be objected, that young ladies can get a 
such books, and attend to them out of school. Andso 
they can get books on Chemistry and Philosophy, and 
study them out of school; but will they do it? And — 


knowledge, and let the less needful be omitted? If — 
young ladies study such a work as this, in school, they 
will remember a great part of it; and, when they for- 
get, in any emergency, they will know where to resort 
for instruction. But if such books are not put into 
schools, probably not one in twenty will see or hear of __ 
them, especially in those retired places where they are 
most needed. And is it at all probable, that a branch, 
which is so lightly esteemed as to be deemed unworthy 4 
a place in the list of female studies, will be sought for — 
and learned by young girls, who so seldom look into 
works of solid instruction after they leave school? So 
deeply is the writer impressed with the importance of _ 
this, as a branch of female education, at school, that 
she would deem it far safer and wiser to omit any other, 
rather than this. a 
Another reason, for introducing such a branch of a 
study into female school, i is, the influence it would ex- 





apne : . Y 
BRANCH OF STUDY. — 67 


ert, in leading young ladies more correctly to estimate 
‘the importance and dignity of domestic knowledge. 
It is now often the case, that young ladies rather pride 
themselves on their ignorance of such subjects; and 
seem fo imagine that it is vulgar and ungenteel to 
know how to work. ‘This is one of the relics of an 
aristocratic state of society, which is fast passing away. 
Here, the tendency of every thing is to the equalisation 
of labor, so that all classes are feeling, more and more, 
that indolence is disreputable. And there are many 
mothers, among the best educated and most wealthy 
classes, who are bringing up their daughters, not only 
to know how to do, but actually to do, all kinds of do 
mestic work. ‘The writer knows young ladies, who are 
daughters of men of wealth and standing, and who 
are among the most accomplished in their sphere, who 
have for months been sent to work with a mantuama- 
ker, to acquire a practical knowledge of her occupation, 
and who have at home learned to perform all kinds of 
domestic labor. 


And let the young women of this Nation find, that 


Domestic Economy is placed, in schools, on equal or 
superior ground to Chemistry, Philosophy, and Mathe- 
matics, and they will blush to be found ignorant of its 
first principles, as much as they will to hesitate respect- 
ing the laws of gravity, or the composition of the at- 
mosphere. But, as matiers are now conducted, many 
young ladies know how to make oxygen and hydrogen, 
and to discuss questions of Philosophy or Political 
Economy, far better than they know how to make a 
bed and sweep a room properly; and they can “ con- 
struct a diagram” in Geometry, with far more skill than 
they can make the simplest article of female dress. 

It may be urged, that the plan suggested by the 
writer, in the previous pages, would make such a book 
as this needless ; for young ladies would learn all these 
things at home, before they go to school. But it must 
be remembered, that the plan suggested cannot fully be 
carried into effect, till such endowed institutions, as the 


sal 4 
ETL. ee et tats ee a cee 













G32” ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 


one described, are universally furnished. “This proba a 
bly will not be done, till at least one generation of : 
young women are educated. It is only on the suppo- 
sition that a young lady can, at fourteen or fifteen year: 
of age, enter such an institution, and continue there 
three years, that it would be easy to induce her to ‘ré- 
main, during all the previous period, at home, in the ~ 
practice of Domestic Economy, and the limited course 
of study pointed out. In the present imperfect, desul- 
tory, varying, mode of female education, where studies 4 
are begun, changed, partially learned, and forgotten, it 
requires nearly all the years of a woman’s youth, to_ 
acquire the intellectual education now demanded — 
While this state of things continues, the only remedy _ 
is, to introduce Domestic Economy as a study at school. 

It is hoped that these considerations will have weight, 
not only with parents and teachers, but with young la~ 
dies themselves, and that all will unite their influence 
to introduce this, as a popular and universal branch of 
education, into every female school. 


CHAPTER V. 
ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 


THERE is no point, where a woman is more liable to 
suffer from a want of knowledge and experience, than 
in reference to the health of a family committed to her 
care. Many a young lady, who never had any charge 
of the sick; who never took any care of an infant; 
who never obtained information on_ these subjects from 
books, or from the experience of others ; in short, with 
little or no preparation ; has found herself the principal 
attendant in dangerous sickness, the chief nurse of a 
feeble ifant, and ‘the responsible ‘euardian of the health 
of a whole family. | 

The care, the fear, the perplexity, of a woman, sud 


. i Oe ce 


Pe ee ae ee 


eed ay At 
pen fe ee ee ee ae 


biclar:: ei es oni 


ON THE#SCARE OF HEALTH. 69 


_ denly called to these unwonted duties, none can real- 
_ ize, till they themselves feel it, or till they see some 


~ 


young and anxious novice first attempting to meet such 
responsibilities. 'To a woman of age and experience, 
these duties often involve a measure of trial and difhi- 
culty, at times deemed almost insupportable ; how hard, 
then, must they press on the heart of the young and 
inexperienced | — 

There is no really efficacious mode of preparing a 
woman to take a rational care of the health of a family, 
except by communicating that knowledge, in regard to_ 
the construction of the body, and the laws of health, 
which is the basis of the medical profession. Not that 
a woman should undertake the minute and extensive 
investigation requisite for a physician; but she should 
gain a general knowledge of first principles, as a guide 
to her judgement in emergencies when she can rely on 
no other aid. Therefore, before attempting to give any 
specific directions on the subject of this chapter, a short 
sketch of the construction of the human frame will be 
given, with a notice of some of the general principles, 
on which specific rules in regard to health are based. 
This description will be arranged under the general 
heads of Bones, Muscies, Nerves, Brioop-Vesseus, 
Orcans or Digestion anp ResprratTion, and THE 
SKIN. 


5 BONES. 


The bones are the most solid parts of the body. 
They are designed to protect and sustain it, and also 
to secure voluntary motion. They are about two hun- 
dred and fifty in number, (there being sometimes a few 
more or less,) and are fastened together by cartilage, 
or gristle, a substance like the bones, but softer, and 
more elastic. 

In order to convey a more clear and correct idea of 
the form, relative position, and connection, of the bones 
constituting the human framework, the engraving on 
page 70, (Fig. 1,) is given. 









By the preceding engraving, it will be seen, _ that thee 
cranium, or skull, consists of several distinct pieces, which 
are united by sutures, (or seams,) as represented by t 
zigzag lines ; a, being the frontal bone; 6, the parietal 
bone; c, the temporal bone; and d, the ‘place of the oc- 
cupital bone, which forms the back part of the head, and 
therefore is not seen in the engraving. The nasal bone: 
or bones of the nose, are- shown at e; f, is the cheek 
bone; g, the upper, and h, the lower, jaw bones ; 4, t, 
the spinal column, or back hohe, consisting of numerous 





ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. | 71 


ae ‘ : 
_ small bones, called vertebre ; j,7, the seven true ribs, 
which are fastened to the spine, behind, and by the car- 
tilages, k, k, to the sternum, or breast bone, 1, in front ; 
m, m, are the first three false ribs, which are so called, 
because they are not united directly to the breast bone, 
but by cartilages to the seventh true rib; n,n, are the 
lower two false, which are also called floating, ribs, be- 
cause they are not connected with the breast bone, nor 
the other ribs, in front; 0, 0, p, g, are the bones of the 
pelvis, which is the foundation on which the spine rests ; 
r, r, are the collar bones; s,s, the shoulder blades; t, t, 
the bones of the upper arm; u, u, the elbow joints, where 
the bones of the upper arm and fore arm are united in 
such a way that they can move like a hinge; v w, v w, 
are the bones of the fore arm; «x, x, those of the wrists ; 
y, y, those of the fingers; z,z, are the round heads of 
the thigh bones, where they are inserted into the sockets 
of the bones of the pelvis, giving motion in every direc- 
tion, and forming the hip joint; ab, ab, are the thigh 
bones; c,c, the knee joints; de, de, the leg bones; f, f, 
the ankle joints; g, g, the bones of the foot. 

The bones are composed of two substances,—one 
animal, and the other mineral. The animal part isa 


very fine network, called the cellular membrane. In. 


this, are deposited the harder mineral substances, which 
are composed principally of carbonate and phosphate 
of lime. In very early life, the bones consist chiefly of 
the animal part, and are then soft and pliant. As the 
child advances in age, the bones grow harder, by the 
gradual deposition of the phosphate of lime, which is 
supplied by the food, and carried to the bones by the 
blood. In old age, the hardest material preponderates ; 
making the bones more brittle than in earlier life. 


As we shall soon have occasion to refer, particularly, 


to the spinal, or vertebral column, and the derangement 
to which it is liable, we give, on page 72, representa- 
tions of the different classes of vertebrae; viz. the cervi- 
cal, (from the Latin, cervix, the neck,) the dorsal, (from 
dorsum, the back,) and lumbar, (from lumbus, the loins.) 








Fig. 2, represents one of the cervical vertebra. Seven 
of these, ‘placed one above another, constitute that Pe y 
of the spine which is in the neck. : 


Fig. 3. 





Fig. 3, is one of the dorsal vertebrae, twelve of which, 
form the central part of the papi 


nie 








ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 73 


_ Fig. 4, represents one of the lumbar vertebra, (five 
m number,) which are immediately above the sacrum. 
These vertebre are so fastened, that the spine can 
_ bend, in any direction; and the muscles of the trunk 
are used in holding it erect, or in varying its move- 
ments. 

By the drawings here presented, it will be seen, that 
the vertebrae of the neck, back, and loins, differ some- 
what in size and shape, although they all possess the 
same constituent parts; thus, A, in each, represents 
the body of the vertebre ; B, the articulating processes, 
by which each is joined to its fellow, above and below 
it; C, the spinous process, or that part of the vertebre, 
which forms the ridge to be felt, on pressure, the whole 
length of the centre of the back. The back bone re- 
ceives its name, spine, or spinal column, from these 
spinous processes. 

It is the universal law of the human frame, that exer- 
cise is indispensable to the health of the several parts. 
Thus, if a blood-vessel be tied up, so as not to be used, 
it shrinks, and becomes a useless string; if a muscle be 
condemned to inaction, it shrinks in size, and diminishes 
in power; and thus it is also with the bones. Inactivi- 
ty produces softness, debility, and unfitness for the func- 
tions they are designed to perform. ‘This is one of the 
causes of the curvature of ‘the spine, that common and 
pernicious defect in the females of America. From in- 
activity, the bones of the spine become soft and yielding ; 
and then, if the person is-often placed, for a length of 
time, in positions that throw the weight of the body 
unequally on certain portions of the spine, they yield to 
this frequent compression, and a distortion ensues. ‘The 
positions taken by young persons, when learning to write 
or draw, or to play on the guitar, harp, or piano, and 
the position of the body when sleeping on one side, on 
hich pillows, all tend to produce this effect, by throwing 
the weight of the body unequally, and for a length of 
time, on particular parts of the spine. 

D. E. 











epic 
baa 


3 i 






74 ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 


MUSCLES. 


The muscles are the chief organs of motion, and con 
sist of collections of fine fibres or strings, united in 


S° Sy. 


- 





ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 15 


_ casings of membrane or thin skin. They possess an 
elastic power, like India rubber, which enables them to 
extend and contract. ‘The red meat in animals consists 
- of muscles. Every muscle has connected with it nerves, 
veins, and arteries; and those designed to move the 
bones, are fastened to them by tendons at their extrem 
ities. The mus¢les are laid over each other, and are 
separated by means of membranes and layers of fat, 
which enable them to move easily, without interfering 
with each other. 

The figure on page 74, represents the muscles of the 
arm, as they appear when the skin and fat are removed. 
The muscles a and 0 are attached, at their upper ends, to 
the bone of the arm, and by their lower ends to the upper 
part of the fore arm, near the elbow joint. When the 
fibres of these muscles contract, the middle part of them 
erows larger, and the arm is bent at the elbow. The 
muscle ¢, is, in like manner, fastened, by its upper end, 
to the shoulder blade and the upper part of the arm, 
and by its lower end to one of the bones of the fore 
arm, near the elbow. When the arm is bent, and 
we wish to straighten it, it is done by contracting this 
muscle. ‘I'he muscles d, d, are fastened at one end 
near the elbow joint, and at the other near the ends of 
the fingers; and on the back of the hand are reduced 
in size, appearing like strong cords. These cords are 
called tendons. ‘They are employed in straightening the 
fingers, when the hand is shut. ‘These tendons are 
confined by the ligament or band, e, which binds them 
down, around the wrist, and thus enables them to act 
more efficiently, and secures beauty of form to the limb. 
The muscles at f, are those which enable us to turn the 
‘chand and arm outward. Every different motion of the 
arm has one muscle to produce it, and another to restore 

_.the limb to its natural position. ‘Those muscles which 
bend the body are called flexors ; those which straighten 
it, extensors. When the arm is thrown up, one set of 
muscles is used; to pull it down, another set: when it 
is thrown forward, a still different set is used ; when it 


which supply each muscle with blood and nervous power, 








"6 : ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 


is thrown back, another, different from the former ; when — 
the arm turns in its socket, still another set is used; and 
thus every different motion of the body is made ‘by. a 
different set of muscles. All these muscles are compact-— 
ly and skilfully arranged, so as to work with perfect — 
ease. Among them, run the arteries, veins, and nerves, 


as will be hereafter described. ‘The size and strength — 
of the muscles depend greatly on their frequent exer- 
cise. If left inactive, they grow thi and weak, instead — 
of giving the phumpness to the figure, designed by Na- 
ture. The delicate and feeble appearance of many 
American women, is chiefly owing to the little use they — 
make of ther muscles. Many a pale, puny, shad-shaped 
girl, would have become a plump, rosy, well-formed 
person, if half the exercise, afforded to her brothers in 

the open air, had been. secured to her, gurings childhood 
and youth. 


NERVES. 


- The nerves are the organs of sensation. ‘They enable 
us to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell; and also combine 
with the bones and muscles in producing motion.  . 
The first engraving, on p..77, (Fig. 6,) is a vertical 
section of the skull, and of the spinal column, or back 
bone, which supports the head, and through which runs 
the spinal cord, whence most of the nerves originate. It 
is a side view, and represents the head and spine, as 
they would appear, if they were cut through the mid- 
dle, from front to back. Fig. 7, exhibits them as they 
would appear, if viewed from behind. In Fig. 6, a, 
represents the cerebrum, or great brain; 6, the cerebel- 


lum, or little brain, which is situated directly under the: 


: 

. 

; 
great brain, at the back and lower part of the head; 
£, d, e, is the spinal marrow, which is connected with ’ 
the brain at c, and runs through the whole length of the” : 
spinal column. This column consists, as has already 
been stated, of a large number of small bones, f, f, — : 
called vertebrae, laid one above another, and fastened 
together by cartilage, or gristle. g, between them. 








; df fis 
Ves 


~The lower broad part of the spine, (see p, Fig. : 





Between each two vertebrae, or spinal bones, dl 
issues from the spine, on each side, a pair of ne 


p. 70, and Fig. 7, p. 77,) is called the sacrum ; in. ‘his, i, 
are eight holes, through which the lower pairs. of nerves: 
pass off, 1 ee ee 
The nerves of the head and lungs run directly from : 
the brain; those of all-other parts of the body proceed — 
from the spine, panies out in the manner oes men-— a 
tioned. - . 4 
The nerves high thus proceed frog the spine, ‘branch a 
out, like the limbs and twigs of a tree, till they extend 
over the whole body; and, so minutely are they divi-- a 
ded and arranged, that a point, destitute of a nerve, “ 
cannot be found on the skin. a 
Some idea of the ramifications of the nerves, may 
be obtained by reference to the following engraving, 
(Fig. 8.) In this, A, A, represents the cerebrum, or 
creat brain; B, B, the cerebellum, or little brain ; ‘(see ae 
also a, 6, in Fig. 6;) C, C, represents the union of the 
fibres of the eerébrunis D, D, the union of the two sides 
of the cerebellum; E, E, E, the spinal marrow, which 
passes through the centre of the spine, (as seen at c, d, e, 
in Fig.6;) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, branches of the nerves going 
to different parts of the body. As the nerves are the 
organs of sensation, all pain is an affection of some 
portion of the nerves. The health of the nerves de- 
pends very greatly on the exercise of the muscles, with 
which they are so intimately connected. This shows 


the reason why the headache, tic douloureux, diseases 
of the spine, and other nervous affections, are so com- 


mon among American women. ‘Their inactive habits, . 4 
engender a debility of the nervous system, and these _ 
diseases follow, as the consequence. 





~ 


ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 19 





v = < Ce 
Sa 


BT 


ahve Care 


- comes what is called crooked, having the neck projected — 


FOr Sa Ra i ee ee pe Oe pal, eS aa 
Hots ACY SAS Sher rehy AER Ae oa ac Ane 
tg es > r a ne a ae Ue? eS ’ 


e 4 Et) ee eg ; if ats re ee PE a ae $ ; ; i: 
80 ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 









































It can be seen, by a reference to the side view, repr 
sented on page 77, (Fig. 6,) that the spine is naturally 
curved back and forward. When, from want of exer-— 
cise, its bones are softened, and the muscles weakened, 
the spine acquires an improper curve, and the person be- 


forward, and, in some cases, having the back convex, _ 
where it should be concave. Probably one half of the 
American women have the head thus projecting for- 
ward, instead of carrying it in the natural, erect position, 
which is both graceful and dignified. mB 
The curvature of the spine, spoken of in this work 
as so common, and as the cause of so many diseases 
among American women, is what is denominated the 
lateral curvature, and is much more dangerous than the 
other distortion. The indications of this evil, are, the 
projection of one shoulder blade more than the other, © 
and, in bad cases, one shoulder being higher, and the 
hip on the opposite side more projecting, than the other. 
In this case, the spine, when viewed from behind, in- 
stead of running in a straight line, (as in Fig. 7 and 9,) 
is curved somewhat, as may be seen in Figures 10 
and 11. 
This effect 1s occasioned by the softness of the bones, _ 
induced by want of exercise, together with tight dress- 
ing, which tends to weaken the muscles that are thus 
thrown out of use. Improper and long continued po- 
sitions in drawing, writing, and sleeping, which throw 
the weight of the body on one part of the spine, in- 
duce the same evil. ‘This distortion is usually accom-— 
panied with some consequent disease of the nervous 
system, or some disarrangement of the internal organs. 
By comparing Figures 9 and 11, the difference be- 
tween a natural and distorted spine will be readily ~ 
perceived. In Fig. 10, the curved line shows the 
course of the spine, occasioned by distortion; the per- 
pendicular line, in this and Fig. 11, indicates the true 
direction of the spine; the horizontal lines show that 
one shoulder and hip are forced from thew proper level. 





em 


6 “SLT 





OL ‘Sta 








BLOOD-VESSELS. 


The blood is the fluid into which our food is changed, 
and which is employed to minister nourishment to the 
whole body. For this purpose, it is carried to every 
part of the body, by the arteries; and, after it has 


PN tae ear ae py ae 
- Saw > ae aren he ae 


81 















given out its nourishment, eT 
the veifis. 7° “= 

- The subjoined engraving, (Fie. 12.) 
a rude outline of the vascular system, » 


gs 


illustrate this en as we shall i i 


| > Fig. 1. 










£2) 





ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. | 83. 


. Before entering the heart, the blood receives a 
fresh supply of nourishment, by a duct which leads 
' from the stomach. The arteries have their origin from 
the heart, in a great trunk, called the aorta, which is the 
_ parent of all the arteries, as the spinal marrow is the pa- 
rent of the nerves which it sends out. When the arteries 
have branched out into myriads of minute vessels, the 
blood which is in them passes into as minute veins; 
and these run into each other, like the rills and branches 
of a river, until they are all united in two great veins, 
which run into the heart. One of these large receivers, 
called the vena cava superior, or upper vena cava, brings 
back the blood from the arms and head, the other, the 
vena cava inferior, or lower vena cava, brings back the 
blood from the body and lower limbs. 
In the preceding figure, H, is the heart, which is 
divided into four compartments; two, called auricles, 
used for receiving the blood, and two, called ventricles, 
used for sending cut the blood. A, is the aorta, or great 
‘artery, which sends its branches to every part of the body. 
In the upper part, at a, a, a, are the main branches of the 
aorta, which go to the head and arms. Below, at a, a, 
are the branches which go to the lower limbs. The 
branches which set off at X, X, are those by which the 
intestines are supplied by vessels from the aorta. Every 
muscle in the whole body, all the organs of the body, and 
the skin, are supplied by branches sent off from this great 
artery. When the blood is thus dispersed through any 
organ, in minute vessels, it is received, at their termina- 
tions, by numerous minute veins, which gradually unite, 
forming larger branches, till they all meet in either the 
upper or lower vena cava, which returns the blood to 
the heart. VI, is the vena cava inferior, which re- 
eeives the blood from the veins of the lower parts of 
the body, as seen at v, v. The blood, sent into the 
lower limbs from the aorta, is received by minute veins, 
which finally unite at v, v, and thus it is emptied through 
the lower vena cava into the heart: 0, 0, represent the 
points of entrance of those tributaries of the vena cava, 








84 | ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. | 


which receive that blood from the intestines, shied 
sent out by the aorta at X, X. In the upper part, VS 
is the vena cava supervor, which receives the blood from 
the head and arms; v, v, v, are the tributaries of the 
‘upper vena cava, which bring the blood back from the 
head and arms; d, d, represents the course of the thora- 
cic duct, a delicate tebe by which the chyle is carried 
into the blood, as mentioned on page 89; ¢, shows the | 
place where this duct empties into a branch of the : 
vena cava. 

It thus appears, that wherever a branch of the Sorte a 
goes to carry blood, there will be found a tributary of 
the upper or lower vena cava, to bring it back. =e 

The succeeding engravings, will enable the reader to. 
form a more definite idea of this important function of = 
the system,—the circulation of the blood. The heart, 
in man, and in all warm-blooded anmnals, is “double: 
having two auricles and two ventricles. ‘In animals 
with cold blood, (as fishes,) the heart is single, having 
but one auricle and one ventricle. Fig. 13, represents _ 
the double heart as it appears when the two sides are 
separated, and also the great blood-vessels; those on 
the left of the figure being on the right side of the 
body, and vice versa. ‘The direction of the blood is 
represented by the arrows. A, represents the lower 
vena cava, returning the blood from the lower parts of. 
the body, and L, the upper vena cava, returning the 
blood from the head and arms.  B, is the right sinus, 
or auricle, into which the returned blood is poured. 
From this cavity of the heart, the blood is carried” 
into the right ventricle, C; and from this ventricle, 
the pulmonary arteries, D, convey into the lungs the’ 
blood which is returned from the body. These five” 
vessels, A, B, C, D, and L, belong to the right side* 
of the heart, ‘and contain the venous or dark-colored 
blood, which has been through the circulation, and 
1s now unfit for the uses of the system, till it has 
passed through the lungs. 


ize 





When the blood reaches the lungs, and is exposed to 
the action of the air which we breathe, it throws off its 
impurities, becomes bright in color, and is then called 
arterial blood. It then returns to the left side of the 
heart, (on the right of the engraving,) by the pulmonary 
veins, E, E, (also seen at m, m, Fig. 15,) into the left 
auricle F, whence it is: forced into the ventricle, G. 
From the left ventricle, proceeds the aorta, H, H, 
which is the great artery of the body, and conveys 
the blood to every part of the system. I, J, K, are 
branches of the aorta, going to the head and arms. 


8 D. BE, 





2 
4 
oe 
4 

! 


ee 


ae it 


OOr Be 








Fig, 14, represents the heart, with its two sides s : 
united as in nature; and will be Sindee from the | - 


description of Fig 13. 
On the opposite page, Fig. 15, raprescala the heart, 


with the great blood-vessels, on a still larger scale; ae a | 


being the left ventricle ; 6, the right ventricle; ¢, e, f; the 
aorta, or great artery, rising out of the left ventricle; 


g,h, 7, the branches of the aorta, going to the head and = 


arms; i, J, 1, the pulmonary artery, and its branches; 
m, i! veins of the lungs, which bring the blood back 
from the lungs to the heart; n, right auricle; 0, vena 
cava inferior; , veins returning blood from the liver — 
and bowels; g, the vena cava superior; r, the left auri- 
cle; s, the left coronary artery, which distributes the 
blood eecomurely to the substance of the heart. 


“i eon 





ORGANS OF DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION. 


Digestion and respiration are the processes, by which 
the food is converted into blood for the nourishment of 
the body. The engraving on the next page (Fig. 16) 
shows the organs by which these operations are per- 
formed. 

In the lower part of the engraving, is the stomach, 
marked 8, which receives the food through the gullet, 
marked G. The latter, though in the engraving it is 
cut off at G, in reality continues upwards to the throat. 
The stomach is a bag composed of muscles, nerves, and 
blood-vessels, united by a material similar to that which 
forms the skin. As soon as food enters the stomach, 
its nerves are excited to perform their proper function 
of stimulating the muscles. A muscular (called the 
peristaltic) motion immediately commences, by which, 
the stomach propels its contents around the whole of 
ts circumference, once in every three minutes. 


88 Ci; ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 





This movement of the muscles attracts the blood from . 
ather parts of the system; for the blood always hastens 
to administer its supplies to any organ which 1s called 
to work. The blood-vessels of the stomach are soon 
distended with blood, from which the gastric juice is 
secreted by minute vessels in the coat of the stomach. 





ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. - 99 


_ This mixes with the food, and reduces it to a soft pulpy 
_ mass, called chyme. It then passes through the lower 
_ end of the stomach, into the intestines, which are folded 
up in the abdomen, and the upper portion, only, of which, 
is shown in the engraving, at A, A. The organ marked 
L, L, is the liver, which, as the blood passes through its 
many vessels, secretes a substance called bile, which 
accumulates in the gall-bladder, marked B. After the 
food passes out of the stomach, it receives from the 
liver a portion of bile, and from the pancreas the pan- 
creatic juice. ‘The pancreas does not appear in this 
drawing, being concealed behind the stomach. These 
two liquids separate the substance which has passed 
from the stomach, into two different portions. One is 
a light liquid, very much like cream in appearance, and 
ealled chyle, of which the blood is formed ; the other is 
a more solid substance, which contains the refuse and 
useless matter, with a smaller portion of nourishment ; 
and this, after being further separated from the nour- 
ishing matter which it contains, is thrown out of the 
body. ‘There are multitudes of small vessels, called 
lacteals, which, as these two mixed substances pass 
through the long and winding folds of the intestines in 
the abdomen, absorb the chyle, and convey it to the 
thoracic duct, which runs up close by the spine, and 
carries the chyle, thus received, into a branch of the 
vena cava superior, at t, whence it is mingled with the 
blood going into the heart. In this engraving, the lac- 
teals and thoracic duct are not shown; but their position 
is indicated by the dotted lines, marked X, Y; X, being 
the lacteals, and Y, the thoracic duct. 

In the upper half of the engraving, H represents the 
heart; a, the commencement of the aorta; vcs, the 
termination of the vena cava superior. On each side 
of the heart, are the lungs; / /, being the left lobe, and 
rl, the right lobe. They are composed of a network 
of air-vessels, blood-vessels, and nerves. _W, represents 
the trachea, or windpipe, through which, the air we 
breathe is conducted to the lungs. It branches out 

oF D. E. 











ea, ee wey gs oe eee hats a 


sends this blood, through these pulmonney ice? into : 
et 


ya Fon 


ee bly 
2 NE 3 


90 | _ ON THE a 







iid air every time we bridettio reba shes pisaht 

the pulmonary arteries, marked pa. These enter 
lungs and spread out along-side of the branches of ‘th 
air-vessels, so that every finial has a small arter 
running side by side with it. When the two vena cavas. 
empty the blood into the heart, the latter contracts, and — 


the lungs. a 

As the air and blood meander, side by sides through a 
the lungs, the superabundant carbon and hydrogen of. = 
the blood combine with the oxygen of the air, forming __ 
carbonic acid gas, and water, which are thrown out of 
the lungs at every expiration. This is the process by 
which the chyle is converted into arterial blood, and the 
venous blood purified of its excess of carbon and hydro- 
gen. When the blood is thus prepared, in the lungs, 
for its duties, it is received by the small pulmonary veins, 
which gradually unite, and bring the blood back to 
the heart, through the large pulmonary veins, marked 

v, pv. . 
s On receiving this purified blood from the lungs, the 
heart contracts, and sends it out again, through the 
aorta, to all parts of the body. It then makes another  __ 
circuit through every part, ministering to the wants of 
all, and is afterwards again brought back by the veins __ 
to receive the fresh chyle from the stomach, and to be 
purified by the lungs. ee 

The throbbing of the heart 1s caused by its alternate 
expansion and contraction, as it receives'and expels the 
blood. With one throb, the blood is sent from the right 
ventricle into the lungs, and from the left ventricle into 
the aorta. 

Every time we inspire air, the process of purifying a 
the blood is going on; and every time we expire the = 
air, we throw out the redundant carbon and hydrogen, 
taken from a portion of the blood. If the waist is com- 
pressed by tight clothing, a portion of the lungsbecom- 
pressed, so that the air-vessels cannot be filled. This 





ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 91 


prevents the perfect purification and preparation of the 
blood, so that a part returns back to the heart unfitted 
for its duties. This is a slow, but sure, method, by 
which the constitution of many a young lady is SO un- 
dermined that she becomes an early victim to disease 
and to the decay of beauty and strength. The want 
of pure air is another cause of the debility of the female 
constitution. When air has been rendered impure, by 
the breath of several persons, or by close confinement, 
it does not purify the blood properly. Sleeping in 
close chambers, and sitting in crowded and unventilated 
schoolrooms, are frequent causes of debility in the con- 
stitution of young persons. 


OF THE SKIN. 


The skin is the covering of the body, and has very 
mportant functions to perform. It is more abundantly 
supplied with nerves and blood-vessels than any other 
part; and there is no spot of the skin where the point 
of the finest needle would not pierce a nerve and 
blood-vessel. Indeed, it may be considered as com- 
posed chiefly of an interlacing of minute nerves and 
blood-vessels, so that it is supposed there is more 
nervous matter in the skin, than in all the rest of the 
body united, and that the greater portion of the blood 
flows through the skin. 

The whole animal system is in a state of continual 
change and renovation. [ood is constantly taken into 
the stomach, only a portion of which is fitted for the 
supply of the blood. All the rest has to be thrown 
out of the system, by various organs designed for this 
purpose. ‘These organs are,—the lungs, which throw 
off a portion of useless matter when the blood is puri- 
fied ; the kidneys, which secrete liquids that pass into 
the bladder, and are thrown out from the body by that 
organ ; and the intestines, which carry off the useless 
and more solid parts of the food, after the lacteals 


have drawn off the chyle. In addition to these organs, 


the skin has a similar duty to perform; and as it has 


’ at 
paca ma fe ee a 
Ee ah ae ORR a 


ot . ss ra amis) 
Sa ee ee ae 5 








Sees ce ies CGE gee eh are 3 
AS ah wey sn et 


> a #3. 









92> ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 


so much larger a supply of blood, it is the chie 
in relieving the body of the useless and noxiou 
of the materials which are taken for food. . 

‘Various experiments show, that not tad than a 
pound and four ounces of waste matter is thrown off — 
by the skin every twenty-four hours. This is accord-— 
ing to the lowest calculation. Most. of» those, who 
have made experiments to ascertain the quantity, rep- 
resent it as much greater ; and all agree, that the skin — 
throws off more redundant matter from the body, than 
the whole of the other organs together. In the ordi- 
nary state of the skin, even when there is no apparent  __ 
perspiration, it is constantly exhaling waste matter,in __ 
a form which is called insensible perspiration, because 
it cannot be perceived by the senses. A very cool 
mirror, brought suddenly near to the skin, will be 
covered, in that part, with a moisture, which is this" 
efluvium thus made visible. When heat or exercise 
excites the skin, this perspiration is increased, so as _ 
to be apparent to the senses. This shows the reason 
why it is so important frequently to wash the entire 
surface of the body. If this be neglected, the pores 
of the skin are closed by the waste matter thrown 
from the body, and by small particles of the thin scarf- . 
skin, so that it cannot properly perform its duties. In 
this way, the other organs are made to work harder, in 
order to perform the labor the skin would otherwise 
accomplish, and thus the lungs and bowels are often 
essentially weakened. 

Another office of the skin, is, to regulate the heat 
of the body. The action of the internal organs is 
constantly generating heat; and the faster the blood 
-eirculates, the greater is the heat evolved. The per- 
spiration of the skin serves to reduce and regulate this 
heat. For; whenever any liquid changes to a vapor, 
it absorbs heat from whatever is nearest to it. The 
_ faster the blood flows, the more perspiration is evolved. 
This bedews the skin with a liquid, which the heat of 
the body turns to a vapor; and in this change, that 


Rees ~ 





ON THE CARE OF HEALTH. 93 


“heat 1s absorbed. When a fever takes place, this per- 
spiration ceases, and the body is afflicted with heat. 
Insensible perspiration is most abundant during sleep, 


_ -after eating, and when friction is applied to the skin. 


Perspiration is performed by the terminations of minute 
arteries in every part of the skin, which exude the per- 
spiration from the blood. : 

The skin also performs another function. It is pro- 
vided with a set of small vessels, called adsorbents, 


which are exceedingly abundant and minute. When 
particular substances are brought in contact with the 


skin, these absorbents take up some portions and carry 
them into the blood. It is owing to this, that opium, 
applied on the skin, acts in a manner similar to its 
operation when taken into the stomach. The power 
of absorption is increased by friction ; and this is the 
reason that lmiments are employed, with much rubbing, 
to bruises and sprains. ‘The substance applied is thus 
introduced into the injured part, through the absorbents. 
This shows another reason for frequent washing of the 
skin, and for the frequent changes of the garment next 
the skin. Otherwise portions of the noxious matter, 
thrown out by the skin,-are reabsorbed into the blood, 
and are slow but sure causes of a decay of the strength 
of the system. 

The skin is also provided with small EoBiclon or 
bags, which are filled with an oily substance. This, 
by gradually exuding over the skin, prevents water 
from penetrating and injuring its texture. 

‘The skin is also the organ of touch. This office is 
performed through the instrumentality of the nerves of 
feeling, which are spread over all parts of the skin. 

This general outline of the construction of the hu- 
man frame is given, with reference to the practical 
application of this knowledge in the various cases 
Where a woman will be called upon to exercise her 
own unaided judgement. The application will be 
further pointed out, in the chapters on Food, Dress, 
Cleanliness, Care of the Sick, and Care of Infants. 


Pas! Reb eee bie ean Roane rS pe A NASP ia Pre ihe he Cte aS eA ite eed 














nee CHAPTER VI. 
ON serine soy FOOD. 
Breen person who jesse whist shall be the food and : 


drink of a family, and the modes of preparation, is the 
one who decides, to a greater or less extent, what shall — 


be the health of that family. It is the opinion of most 


_ medical men, that intemperance ‘in eating is the most 


fruitful of all causes of disease and death. If this be — 4 
so, the woman who wisely adapts the food and cooking = 


of her family to the laws of health, removes the great- 
est risk which threatens the ‘lives of those under = 
care. Ni 
To exhibit this subject clearly, it will be needtad té | 
refer, more minutely, to the Ler pecrie and Ys aren 
of the digestive organs. 4 

It is found, by experiment, that the supply of gastric ? 
juice, furnished from the blood, by the arteries of the 
stomach, is proportioned, not to the amount of food 


put into the stomach, but to the wants of the body; so. 


that it is possible to put much more into. the stomach 


than can be digested. To guide and regulate in this: = 


matter, the sensation called hunger is provided. Ina - 
healthy state of the body, as soon as the blood has lost 
its nutritive supplies, the craving of hunger is felt, and — 
then, if the food is suitable, and is taken in the proper : 
manner, this sensation ceases, as soon as the stomach 
has received enough to supply the wants of the system. © 
But our benevolent Creator, in this, as in our other 
duties, has connected enjoyment with the operation 
needful to sustain our bodies. In addition to the allay- 
ing of hunger, the gratification of the palate is secured, 
by the immense variety of food, some articles of which 
are far more agreeable than others. 


This arrangement of Providence, designed for our e 
happiness, has become, either through ignorance, Ot  — 





- ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 95 


want of self-control, the chief cause of the various 


diseases and sufferings, which afflict those classes who 


have the means of seeking a variety to gratify the 


_ palate. If mankind had only one article of food, and 


only water to drink, though they would have less en- 
joyment in eating, they would never be tempted to put 
any more into the stomach, than the calls of hunger 
required. But the customs of society, which present 
an incessant change, and a great variety of food, with 
those various condiments which stimulate appetite, lead 
almost every person very frequently to eat merely to 


gratify the palate, after the stomach has been abun- 


~ 


dantly supplied, so that hunger has ceased. 

When too great a supply of food is put into the 
stomach, the gastric juice dissolves only that portion 
which the wants of the system demand. The remain- 
der is ejected, in an unprepared state; the absorb- 
ents take portions of it into the system; and all the 
various functions of the body, which depend on the 
ministries of the blood, are thus gradually and imper 
ceptibly injured. Very often, intemperance in eating 
produces immediate results, such as colic, headaches, 
pains of indigestion, and vertigo. But the more gen- 
eral result, is, a gradual undermining of all parts of the 
human frame; thus imperceptibly shortening life, by 
so weakening the constitution, that it is ready to yield, 
at every point, to any uncommon risk or exposure. 
Thousands and thousands are passing out of the world, 
from diseases occasioned by exposures, which a healthy 
constitution could meet without any danger. It is 
owing to these considerations, that it becomes the duty 
of every woman, who has the responsibility of pro- 
viding food for a family, to avoid a variety of tempting 
dishes. It is a much safer rule, to have only one kind 
of healthy food, for each meal, than the abundant 
variety which is usually met at the tables of almost all 
classes in this Country. When there is to be any va- 
riety of dishes, they ought not to be successive, but so 
arranged, as to give the opportunity of selection. How 












96 — oN Nae FOOD. 


often is it the case, that persons, by the appearance 
a favorite article, are tempted to eat, merely to grati 
the palate, when. the stomach is already. adequate. 
supplied. All such intemperance wears on the c 
stitution, and shortens life. It not unfrequently - 
pens, that excess in eating produces a morbid appraier : 
which must constantly be denied. ie 
But the organization of the digestive. organs de a 
mands, not only that food be taken in proper BAR 
tities, but that it be taken at proper times. __ is 
It has before been shown, that, as soon as the ‘food 2 
enters the stomach, the muscles are excited by the i 
nerves, and the peristaltic motion commences. ‘This 
is a powerful and constant exercise of the muscles of ¥ 
the stomach, which continues until the process of di- 
gestion is complete. During this time, the blood is 
withdrawn from other parts of the system, to supply 
the demands of the stomach, which is laboring hard 
- with all its muscles. When this motion ceases, and 
the digested food has gradually passed out of the 
‘stomach, Nature requires that it should have a period = 
of repose. And if another meal be eaten, immediate- 
ly after one is digested, the stomach is set to work 
again, before it has had time to rest, and before a 
sufficient supply of gastric juice is provided. aie 
The general rule, "then, i is, that three hours be | given 
to the stomach for labor, and two for rest; and in 
obedience to this, five hours, at least, ought to elapse 
hetween every two regular meals. In cases where 
exercise produces a flow of perspiration, more food is 
needed to supply the loss; and strong laboring men 
may safely eat as often as ‘they feel the want of food. 
So, young and healthy children, who gambol and exer- 
cise much, and whose bodies grow fast, may have a 
more frequent supply of food. But, as a general rule, 
meals should be five hours apart, and eating between _ 
meals avoided. There is nothing more unsafe, and 
wearing to the constitution, than a habit of eating at hs. 
any time, merely to gratify the palate. Whenatempt- — 





ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. OF 


mg article is presented, every person should exercise 


sufficient self-denial, to wait till the proper time for 
eating arrives. Children, as well as grown persons, 
are often injured, by eating between their regular 
_meals, thus weakening the stomach, by not avordns 
it any time for rest. 

In deciding as to quantity of food, there is one 
great difficulty to be met by a large portion of the 
community. It has been shown, that the exercise of 
every part of the body is indispensable to its health 
and perfection. The bones, the muscles, the nerves, 
the organs of digestion and respiration, and the skin, 
all demand exercise, in order properly to perform their 
functions. When the muscles of the body are called 
into action, all the blood-vessels entwined among them 
are frequently compressed. As the arteries are so con- 
trived, that the blood cannot run back, this compression 
hastens it forward, through the veins, towards that 
organ. ‘The heart is immediately put in quicker mo- 
tion, to send it into the lungs; and they, also, are thus 
stimulated to more rapid action, which is the cause of 
that panting which active exercise always occasions. 
The blood thus courses with greater celerity through 
the body, and sooner loses its nourishing properties. 
Then the stomach issues its mandate of hunger, and a 
new supply of food must be furnished. Thus it ap- 
pears, as a general rule, that the quantity of food, 
actually needed by the body, depends on the amount 
of muscular exercise taken. A laboring man, in the 
open fields, probably throws off from his skin ten times 
the amount of perspirable matter, which is evolved 
from the skin of a person of sedentary pursuits. In 
consequence of this, he demands a far greater amount 
of food and drink. 

Those persons, who keep their bodies in a state of 
health, by sufficient exercise, can always be guided 
by the calls of hunger. They can eat when they 
feel hungry, and stop when hunger ceases; and then 
they will calculate exactly right. But the difficulty i is, 

9 D: Es 











es. 4 = 2083 ww 

































ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 


that a large part of the community, especially women 
are so inactive in their habits, that they seldom feel th 
calls of hunger. They habitually eat, merely to grat 
the palate. ‘This produces such a state of the syste 
that they have lost the guide which Nature has pr 
vided. They are not called to eat, by hunger, no 
‘admonished, by its cessation, when to stop. In con- 
sequence of this, such persons eat what pleases the 
palate, till they feel no more inclination for the article. 
It is probable, that three fourths of the women, in the __ 
wealthier circles, sit down to each meal without any a 
feeling of hunger, and eat merely on account of the 
gratification thus afforded them. Such persons find 
their appetite to depend almost solely upon the kind 
of food on the table. This is not the case with those, _ 
who take the exercise which Nature demands. They 
approach thew meals in such a state that almost any __ 
kind of food is acceptable. “ee 
The question then arises, how are persons, who 
have lost the guide which Nature has provided, to 
determine as to the proper-amount of food they shall 
take? rr ie. 
The only rules they can adopt, are of a general 
nature ; founded on the principles already developed. __ 
They should endeavor to proportion their food to the __ 
amount of the exercise they ordinarily take. If they 
take but little exercise, they should eat but little food 
in comparison with those who are much in the open on 
air and take much exercise; and their food should be — 
chiefly vegetable, and not animal. But how often is it _ 
seen, that a student, or a man who sits all day in an 
office, or a lady who spends the day in her parlor and 
chamber, will sit down to a loaded table, and, by con- | 
tinuing to partake of the tempting varieties, in the end __ 
load the stomach with a supply, which a stout farmer _ 
sould scarcely digest. in 
But the health of a family depends, not merely on — 
the quantity of food taken; but very much, also, on 
the quality. Some kinds of food are very pernicious 


P 
v. a : 
5 





ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. so 


in their nature, and some healthful articles are rendered 
very injurious by the mode of cooking. Persons who 
_ have a strong constitution, and take much exercise, 
may eat almost any thing, with apparent impunity ; 
but young children, who are forming their constitu- 
tions, and persons who are delicate, and who take but 
little exercise, are very dependent for health, on a 
proper selection of food. 

There are some general principles, which may aid 
in regulating the judgement on this subject. 

It is found, that there are some kinds of food which 
afford nutriment to the blood, and do not produce any 
other effect on the system. There are other kinds, 
which are not only nourishing, but stdmulating, so that 
they quicken the functions of the organs on which 
they operate. The condiments used in cookery, such 
as pepper, mustard, and spices, are of this nature. 
There are certain states of the system, when these 
stimulants are beneficial; but it is only in cases where 
there is some debility. Such cases can only be pointed 
out by medical men. But persons in perfect health, 
and especially young children, never receive any benefit 
from such kind of food; and just in proportion as con- 
diments operate to quicken the labors of the internal 
organs, they tend to wear down their powers. A per- 
son who thus keeps the body working under an un-_ 
natural excitement, lives faster than Nature designed, 
and the sooner the constitution is worn out. A woman, 
therefore, should provide dishes for her family, which 
are free from these stimulating condiments, and as 
much as possible prevent their use. It is also found, 
by experience, that animal food is more stimulating 
than vegetable. This is the reason why, in cases of 
fevers, or inflammations, medical men forbid the use 
of meat and butter. Animal food supplies chyle much 
more abundantly than vegetable food does; and this 
chyle is more stimulating in its nature. Of course, 
a person who lives chiefly on animal food, is under 
a higher degree of stimulus than if his food was chiefly 











100 ‘ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 


composed of vegetable substances. His blood will 


_ flow faster, and all the functions of his body: will be — 


quickened. 


ee . 
This makes it important to secure a proper propor- 






, ‘ 
re ’ 


tion of animal and vegetable diet. Some medical men ; 7_ 


suppose, that an exclusively vegetable diet is proved, 
by the experience of many individuals, to be fully 


sufficient to nourish the body ; and bring, as evidence, ~ 


the fact, that some of the strongest and most robust 
men in the world, are those, who are trained, from 
infancy, exclusively. on vegetable food. From this, they 


infer, that life will be shortened, just in proportion as. 


the diet is changed to more stimulating articles ; and 
that, all other things being equal, children will have 
a better chance of health and long life, if they are 
brought up solely on vegetable food. 

But, though this is not ‘the common opinion of medi- 


cal men, they all agree, that, in America, far too large | ie 
portion of the diet consists of animal food. Asa nation, — 


the Americans are proverbial for the gross and luxurious 
diet with which they load their tables; and there can 
be no doubt that the general health of the Nation would 
be increased, by a change in our customs in this respect. 
To take meat but once a day, and this in small quanti- 


ties, compared with the common practice, is a rule, the — 


observance of which would probably greatly reduce the 
amount of fevers, eruptions, headaches, bilious attacks, 


and the many other ailments which are pred eee 


aggravated by too grossa diet. 
The celebrated Roman physician, Baglivi, (who, 
from practising extensively among Roman Catholics, 


had ample opportunities to observe,) mentions, that, | 


in Italy, an unusual number of people recover their 


health in the forty days of Lent, in consequence of the — 4 


lower diet which is required as a religious duty. Au 
American physician remarks, ‘For every reeling drunk- 
ard that disgraces our Country, it contains one hundred 
gluttons ;—persons, I mean, who eat to excess, and 


suffer in consequence.” Another distinguished physi- — 











‘ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 104 


cian says, “I believe that every stomach, not actually 
‘impaired by organic disease, will perform its functions, 


if it receives reasonable attention : and when we per- ’ 


~ ceive the manner in which diet is generally conducted, 


both in regard to quantity and variety of articles of food - 


and drink, which are mixed up in one heterogeneous 
mass,—instead of being astonished at the prevalence of 
indigestion, our wonder must rather be, that, in such cir- 
‘cumstances, any stomach ts capable of digesting at all.” 
In regard to articles which are the most easily di- 
gested, only general rules can be given. Tender meats 
are digested more readily than those which are tough, 
or than many kinds of vegetable food. The farinaceous 
articles, such as rice, flour, corn, potatoes, and the like, 
are the most nutritious, and most easily digested. The 
‘popular notion, that meat is more nourishing than bread, 
‘isa great mistake. Good bread contains one third more 
nourishment than butcher’s meat. The meat is more 
stimulating, and for this reason is more readily digested. 
A perfectly healthy stomach can digest almost any 
healthful food; but when the digestive powers are weak, 
every stomach has its peculiarities, and what is good for 
one, is hurtful to another. In such cases, experiment, 
alone, can decide, which are the most digestible articles 
of food. A person, whose food troubles him, must de- 


duct one article after another, till he learns, by expe-_ 


rience, which is the best for digestion. Much evil has 
been done, by assuming that the powers of one stomach 
are to be made the rule in regulating every other. 

The most unhealthful kinds of food, are those, which 
are made so by bad cooking; such as sour and heavy 
bread, cakes, pie-crust, and other dishes consisting of 
fat, mixed and cooked with flour; also rancid butter, 
and high-seasoned food. ‘The fewer mixtures there are 
in cooking, the more healthful is the food likely to be. 

There is one caution, as to the mode of eating, which 
seems peculiarly needful to Americans. It is indispen- 
sable to good digestion, that food be well chewed and 
taken slowly. It needs to be thoroughly chewed, in 

ur D. E. 


spite aatiel cadets eile cae Ss ie asia eae ce lak a te 
, eS ae ar’ be el on os "nA aaa 


a 


stomach loses the supply which it requires when per- 
forming its office. When the blood is thus withdrawn, 


_ hour and a half; after which, labor of body and mind 


effect is produced by alcoholic drinks. 


102.) ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 







2 


order to prepare it for the action of the gastric. juice, On 
which, by the peristaltic motion, will be thus brought 
into universal contact with the minute portions. It has — 
been found, that a solid lump of food requires much — 
more time And labor of the stomach, than divided. a7 ee 
stances. It has also been found, that, as each bolus, or 
mouthful, enters the stomach, the latter closes, sane : 
the portion received has had some time to move around 
and combine with the gastric juice; and that the orifice _ 
of the stomach resists the entrance of any more, till this. 
is accomplished. But, if the eater persists in swallow- — 
ing fast, the stomach yields ; the food is then poured in 
more rapidly than the organ can perform its duty of © 
digestion ; and evil results are sooner or later developed. 
This exhibits the folly of those hasty meals, so;common 
to travellers, and to men of business, and shows why 
children should be taught to eat slowly. . 
After taking a full meal, it is very important to health, a 
that no great bodily or mental exertion be made, till = 
the labor of the stomach is over. Intense mental effort a 
draws the blood to the head, and muscular exertions a 
draw it to the muscles; and in consequence of this, the = 


the adequate supply of gastric juice is not afforded, and 
indigestion is the result. ‘The heaviness which follows re 
a full meal, is the indication which Nature gives of the 

need of quiet. When the meal is moderate, a sufficient 
quantity of gastric juice is exuded in an hour, or an 


may safely be resumed. 

When undigested food remains in the stomach, and — 
is at last thrown out into the bowels, it proves an irri- 
tating substance, producing an inflamed state in the 
lining of the stomach and other, organs. ‘The same 


It is found, that the stomach has the power of oraas 7 
ually accommodating its digestive powers to the food — 
it habitually receives. Thus, animals, which live on 








ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 103 | 


$ 


: vegetables, can gradually become accustomed to animal 
_ food; and.the reverse is equally true. Thus, too, the 
human stomach can eventually accomplish the ‘digestion 


= _ of some kinds of food, which, at first, were indigestible. 


_ But any changes of this sort should be gradual; as 
those which are sudden, are trying to the powers of the 
stomach, by furnishing matter for which its gastric juice 
is not prepared. 

In regard to the nature of the meals prepared, the 
breakfast should furnish a supply of liquids, because the 
body has been exhausted by the exhalations of the 


night, and demands them more than at any other 


period. It should not be the heartiest meal, because 
the organs of digestion are weakened by long fasting, 
and the exhalations. Dinner should be the heartiest 
meal, because then the powers of digestion are strength- 
ened, by the supplies of the morning meal. Light and 


amusing employments should occupy mind and body. 


for an hour or more after a full meal. 

But little drink should be taken, while eating, as it 
dilutes the gastric juice which is apportioned to each 
quantity of food as it enters. the stomach. It is better 
to take drink after the meal is past. 

Extremes of heat or cold are injurious to the process 
of digestion. ‘T'aking hot food or drink, habitually, 
tends to debilitate all the organs thus needlessly excited. 
in using cold substances, it is found that a certain de- 
gree of warmth in the stomach is indispensable to their 
digestion; so that, when the gastric juice is cooled 
below this temperature, it ceases to act. Indulging in 


large quantities of cold drinks, or eating ice-creams, 


after a meal, tends to reduce the temperature of the 
stomach, and thus to stop digestion. This shows the 
folly of those refreshments, in convivial meetings, where 
the guests are tempted to load the stomach with a va- 
riety, such as would require the stomach of a stout 
farmer to digest, and then to wind up with ice-creams, 
thus destroying ‘whatever ability might otherwise have 
existed, to digest the heavy load. The fittest tempera- 


ge OF Anca Sa) i ir Or ne gd ities Ae Sia ee 
ER Te nes oa haa aya? 2 PEt Re ee Ie ne Re Se 


es AS ie 


ee Name On ne ae Ue age RL ON, 













(104 | ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 


“ture for drinks, if taken when the food i is in the 
ing process, is ‘blood heat. Cool drinks, and even 
can be safely taken at other times, if not in exce 
‘quantity. When the thirst is excessive, or the ie ‘s 
weakened by fatigue, or when in a state of perspiration, | 
cold drinks are injurious. When the body is perspiring — 
freely, taking a large quantity of cold drink has often 
produced instant death. 
_ Fluids taken into the stomach are not ‘aibjece to 
the slow process of digestion, but are immediately ab- 
sorbed and carried into the blood. This is the reason 
why drink, more speedily than food, restores from ex- 
haustion. The minute vessels of the stomach inhale — 
or absorb its fluids, which are carried into the blood, 
just as the minute extremities of the arteries open 4 
upon the inner surface of the stomach, and there 
exude the gastric juice from the blood. 

_ When food is chiefly liquid, (soup, for example,) 
the fluid part is rapidly absorbed. The solid parts 
remain, to be acted on by the gastric juice. In the — 
case of St. Martin,* in fifty minutes after taking soup, 
the fluids were absorbed, and the remainder was even 
thicker than is usual after eating solid food. ‘This is 
the reason why soups are deemed bad for weak stom- 
achs; as this residuum is more difficult of digestion ‘ 
than ordinary food. In recovering from sickness, beef- 
tea and broths are good, because the system then de- ‘ 


. 
* 


paige al 


mands fluids to supply its loss of blood. 
Highly-concentrated food, having much nourishment 
in a small bulk, is not favorable to digestion, because 


* The individual here referred to,—Alexis St: Martin,—was a 
young Canadian, of eighteen years of age, of a good constitution 
and robust health , who, 1 m 1822, was accidentally wounded by the dis- 
charge of a musket, which carried away a part of the ribs, lacerated — 
one of the lobes of ‘the lungs, and perforated the stomach, making a: 8 
Jarge aperture, which never closed; and which enabled Dr. Beau- 
mont, (a surgeon of the American army, stationed at Michilimackinac, 
‘under whose care the patient was placed,) to witness all the processes 
of digestion and other functions of the body, for several years. The ~ 
published account of the experiments made by Dr. B., 1s highly inter 
esting and instructive. 








ON HEALTHFUL FOOD. 105 


it cannot be properly acted on by the muscular con- 
_ tractions of the stomach, and is not so minutely di 

vided, as to enable the gastric juice to act properly. 
This is the reason, why a certain bulk of food is'need- 
ful to good digestion ; and why those people, who live 
_ on whale oil, and other highly-nourishing food, in cold 
climates, mix vegetables and even sawdust with it, to 
make it more acceptable and digestible. So, in civil- 
ized lands, bread, potatoes, and vegetables, are mixed 
with more highly-concentrated nourishment. 'This ex- 
plains why coarse bread, of unbolted wheat, so often 
proves beneficial. Where, from inactive habits, or oth- 
er causes, the bowels become constipated and sluggish, 
this kind of food proves the appropriate remedy. One 
fact on this subject is worthy of notice. Under the 

administration of William Pitt, for two years or more, 
there ‘was such a scarcity of wheat, that, to make it 
hold out longer, Parliament passed a law, that the 
army should have all their bread. made of unbolted 
flour. The result was, that the health of the soldiers 
improved so much, as to be a subject of surprise to 
themselves, the officers, and the physicians. These 
last came out publicly, and declared, that the soldiers 
never before were so robust and healthy; and that 
disease had nearly disappeared from the army. ‘The 
civic physicians joined and pronounced it the hea.thiest 
bread; and, for a time, schools, families, and public 
institutions, used it almost exclusively. Even the no- 
bility, convinced by these facts, adopted it for their 
common diet; and the fashion continued a long time 
after the scarcity ceased, until more luxurious. habits 
resumed their sway. For this reason, also, soups, 
gellies, and arrow-root, should have bread or crackers 
mixed with them. We ‘thus see why children should 
not have cakes and candies allowed them between 
meals. These are highly-concentrated nourishments, 
and should be eaten with more bulky and less nourish- 
ing substances. The most indigestible of all kinds of 
food, are fatty and oily substances; especially if heat 











106° ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. 
ed. It is on this account, that pie-crust, an 
boiled and fried in fat or butter, are. deeme 
healthful as other food. ee 
The following, then, may be put down as that 
‘of a debilitated constitution, from the misuse of food 
Eating too much, eating too often, eating too fast, eatin, 
food and condiments that are too stimulating, eating 
food that is too warm or too cold, eating food that is 
highly-concéntrated, without a proper admixture of less” 
nourishing matter, and eating food that is cis of 
digestion. : 


CHAPTER VII. 


ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. 


ALTHOUGH intemperance in eating is probably re - 
most prolific cause of the diseases of mankind,*intem- 
perance in drink has produced more guilt, misery, and 
crime, than any other one cause. And the responsi-— 
bilities of a woman, in this particular, are very great; 
for the habits and liabilities of those under her care, — 
will very much depend on her opinions and practice. 

It is a point fully established by experience, that 
the full developement of the human body, dnd the 
vigorous exercise of all its functions, can be secured — 
without the use of stimulating drinks. It is, therefore, 
perfectly safe, to bring up children never to use bia e 
no hazard being incurred, by such a course. ! see 

“It is also found, by experience, that there are two __ 
evils incurred, by the use of stimulating drinks. - The 
first, is, their positive effect on the human system. 
Their peculiarity consists in so exciting the nervous. 
system, that all the functions of the body are accel- 
erated, and the fluids are caused to move quicker than _ 
at their natural speed. This incveased motion of the — 
animal fluids, always produces an agreeable effect on — 
the mind. The intellect is invigorated, the imagina- _ 






ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. 107 


: tion is excited, the spirits are enlivened; and these 


effects are so agreeable, that all mankind, after having 


’ 


- once experienced them, feel a great desire for their 
_- repetition. ie . 


_ But this temporary invigoration of the system, is 


always followed by a diminution of the powers of the 


stimulated organs; so that, though in all cases this 
reaction may not be perceptible, it is invariably the 
result. It may be set down as the unchangeable rule 
of physiology, that stimulating drinks (except in cases 
of disease) deduct from the powers of the constitution, 
in exactly the proportion in which they operate to pro- 
duce temporary invigoration. 

The second evil, is, the temptation which always. 
attends the use of stimulants. Their effect on the 
system is so agreeable, and the evils resulting are so 
imperceptible and distant, that there is a constant ten- 
dency to increase such excitement, both in frequency 


and power. And the more the system is thus reduced 


in strength, the more craving is the desire for that 
which imparts a temporary invigoration. This process 
of increasing debility and increasing craving for the 
stimulus that removes it, often goes to such an extreme, 
that the passion is perfectly uncontrollable, and mind 
and body perish under this baleful habit. 

In this Country, there are five forms in which the 
use of such stimulants is common; namely, alcoholic 
drinks, tea, coffee, opium mixtures, and tobacco. 'These 
are all alike, in the main peculiarity of imparting that 
extra stimulus to the system, which tends to exhaust its 
powers. 

Multitudes in this Nation are in the habitual use of 
some one of these stimulants; and each person defends 
the indulgence by these arguments : 

First, that the desire for stimulants is a natural pre- 
pensity, implanted in man’s nature, as is manifest from 
the universal tendency to such indulgences, in every 
nation. from this, it is inferred, that it is an innocent — 
desire, which ought to be gratified, to some extent, and 


iT sR ta Mar aM AMM PION, Se FA lal ao ee a tay OY lena! = mili Lal RT 
Pree SR at Ra AUR ee RT RE We CRE are 
“2 Ur a oe eels eNO GLS Leawma A thy Ut SMa Pig vat og o> NE 


74 Alaa 










wey : ; ut 12 So ie et 
108 ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. 


that the aim should be, to keep it within the limits of 
temperance, instead of attempting to exterminate ¢ a 
natural propensity. | eee 
This is an argument, which, if true, makes it equally 
proper to use opium, brandy, tea, or tobacco, as stimu- 
Jating principles, provided they are used temperately. 
But, if it be granted that perfect health and strength 
can be gained and secured without these stimulants, 
and that their peculiar effect is to diminish the power — 
‘of the system, in exactly the same proportion as they — 
stimulate it, then there is no such thing as a temperate 
use, unless they are so diluted, as to destroy any stimu- 
lating power; and in this form, they are seldom desired. 
The other argument for their use, is, that they are 
among the good things provided by the Creator, for our =~ 
gratification ; that, like all other blessings, they are ex- 
posed to abuse and excess; and that we should rather — 
seek to regulate their use, than to banish them entirely. 
This argument is based-on the assumption, that they — 
are, like healthful foods and drinks, necessary to life and 
health, and injurious only by excess. But this is not 
true ; for, whenever they are used in any such strength __ 
as to be a gratification, they operate, to a greater or less 
extent, as stimulants; and, to just such extent, they 
wear out the powers of the constitution; and it is abun- __ 
dantly proved, that they are not, like food and drink, — 
necessary to health. Such articles are designed for med- 
icine, and not for common use. There can be noar- _ 
gument framed to defend the use of one of them, which __ 
will not equally defend all. ‘That men have.a love for — 
being stimulated, after they have once felt the pleasura-_ 
ble excitement, and that Providence has provided the : 
‘means for securing it, are arguments as much in favor 
of alcohol, opium, and tobacco, as of coffee and tea. 
All that can be said in favor of the last-mentioned fa- — 
vorite beverages, is, that the danger in their use is not 
so great. Let any one, who defends one kind of stimu- 
lating drink, remember, then, that he uses an argument, . 
which, if it be allowed that stimulants are not needed, _ 








ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. 109 


and are injurious, will equally defend all kinds; and 
_ that all which can be said in defence of -tea and bite: 
is, that they may be used, so weak, as to do no harm, 


and that they actually have done less harm than some 


of the other stimulating narcotics. 

The writer is of opinion, that tea and coffee are a 
most extensive cause of much of the nervous debility 
and suffering endured by American women; and that 
relinquishing such drinks would save an immense amount. 
of such suffering. But there is little probability that 
the present generation will make so decided a change 
in their habits, as to give up these beverages; and the 
subject is presented rather in reference to forming the 
habits of children. 


It is a fact, that tea and coffee are, at first, seldom or - 


never agreeable to children. It is the mixture of milk, 
sugar, and water, that reconciles them to a taste, which 
in this manner gradually becomes agreeable. Now, 
suppose that those who provide for a family conclude 
that it is not their duty to give up entirely the use of 
stimulating drinks, may not the case appear different, in 
regard to teaching their children to love such drinks ? 
Let the matter be regarded thus: — The experiments 
of physiologists all prove, that stimulants are not need- 
ful to health, and that, as the general rule, they tend to 
debilitate the constitution. — Is it right, then, for a parent 
to tempt a child to drink what is not needful, when 
there is a probability that it will prove, to some extent, 
an undermining drain on the constitution? Some con- 
stitutions can bear much less excitement than others ; 
and, in every family of children, there is usually one, or 
more, of delicate organization, and consequently pecu- 
liarly exposed to dangers from this source. It is this 
child who ordinarily becomes the victim to stimulating 
drinks. The tea and coffee which the parents and the 
healthier children can use without immediate injury, 
gradually sap the energies of the feebler child, who 
proves either an early victim, or a living martyr to all 
the sufferings that debilitated nerves inflict. Can it be 
| 10 D. E. 


















right, to ee Eadie ae all allow that 
danger, and where, in many cases, disease ar 
met, when another path is known to be perfe 


8 least i injurious, because its flavor is so strong, i 
Z parison with its narcotic principle, that one who uses it, — 
is much less liable to excess. Children can be trained 
to love milk and water sweetened with sugar, so that it 
will always be a pleasant beverage ; or, if there are eX- 
ceptions to the rule, they will be few. Water is an 
unfailing resort. Every one loves it, and it is perfec sh 
ly healthful. Sahay aor 

The impression, common in this ‘Consue that warm 3 
drinks, especially in Winter, are more healthful than» 
cold, is not warranted by any experience, nor by the — 
laws of the physical system. At dinner, cold drinks : 
are universal, and no one deems them injurious. Itis — 
only at the other two meals that they are supposed to - 

be hurtful. #2: 
' There is no doubt that warm drinks are healthful, 
and more agreeable than cold, at certain times and sca Fula 
sons; but it is equally true, that drinks above blood ~~ 
heat are not healthful. If any person should hold a 
finger in hot water, for a considerable time, twice every —_ 
day, it would be found that the finger would gradually __ 
grow weaker. The frequent application of the stimu- _ 
lus of heat, like all other stimulants, eventually. causes 
debility If, therefore, a person is in ‘the habit of drink- 
ing hot aya twice a day, the teeth, throat, and 
stomach are gradually debilitated. ‘This, most. proba- 4 
bly, 1s one of the causes of an early decay of the teeth, : i. 
which is observed to be much more common anevee 
American ladies, than among those in European coun- — 
iries. ag 
It has been stated to the writer, by an intelligent 
traveler who had visited Mexico, that it was rare to. 
meet an individual with even a tolerable set of teeth; 
and that almost every grown person, he met. in. nea 
street, had merely remnants of teeth. On inquiry into _ 





ON HEALTHFUL DRINKS. — : LES 


E Aiagetoms of the canny, it was found, that it was 
the universal practice to take their usual beverage at 
almost the boiling point; and this, doubtless, was the 
chief cause of the almost entire want of teeth in that 
j Country. In the United States, it cannot be doubted 
that much evil is done, in this way, by hot drinks. 
“Most tea-drinkers consider tea as ruined, if it stands 
until it reaches the healthful temperature for drink. 

The following extract from Dr. Andrew Combe, pre- 
‘sents the opinion of most intelligent medical men, on 
this subject.* 

_ Water is a safe drink for all constitutions, provided 
it be resorted to in obedience to the dictates of natural 
thirst, only, and not of habit. Unless the desire for it 
is felt, there is no occasion for its use during a meal.” 

«The primary effect of all distilled and fermented 
liquors, is, to stimulate the nervous system and quicken 
the circulation. In infancy and childhood, the circula- 
tion is rapid, and easily excited; and the nervous sys- 
tem is strongly acted upon, even by the slightest external 
impressions. Hence slight causes of irritation readily 
excite febrile and convulsive disorders. In youth, the 
natural tendency of the constitution is still to excite- 

“ment; and consequently, as a general rule, the stimulus 
of fermented liquors is mjurious.” 

These remarks show, that parents, who find that 
stimulating drinks are not injurious to themselves, may 
mistake in inferring, from this, that they will not bé in- 
jurious to their children. 

Dr. Combe continues thus: “In mature age, when 
digestion is good and the system in full vigor, if the 
mode of life be not too exhausting, the nervous func- 

_ tions and general circulation are in their best condition, 
and require no stimulus for their support. The bodily 
energy is then easily sustained, by nutritious food and a 
regular regimen, and consequently artificial excitement 

* The writer would here remark, in reference to extracts made from 
various authors, that, for the sake of abridging, she has often left out 
parts of a paragraph, but never so,as to modify the meaning of the 


author. Some ideas, not connected with the subject in hand, are 
omitted, hut nana ara altered. 












12- ~ ON CLOTHING. 
only increases the wasting of the natu , 
old age, when the powers of life begin to fail, 
stimulus may be used with evident advantag 
It may be asked, in this connection, why 
Jus of animal food is not to be regarded in. 
light, as that of stimulating drinks. In reply, a 
essential difference may be. pointed out. Animal 
furnishes nutriment to the organs which it stimu 
but stimulating drinks excite the organs to Ee 
action, without affording any nourishment. | 
It has-been supposed, by some, that tea ane ) 
have, at least, a degree of nourishing power. . 
it is proved, that it is the milk and sugar, and not the 
main portion of the drink, which imparts the nourish- 
ment. Tea has not one particle of nourishing proper- ~ 
ties; and what little exists in the coffee-berry, is lost by 
roasting it in the usual mode. All that these articles - “9 
do, is simply to stimulate, without nourishing. — % 
Recent discoveries in the healing art have proved § 
that cold water has a most powerful and yet very safe 
influence in restoring health in many diseases. It has” ‘ 
been proved that the free drink: ing of cold water, at 
any time except when the stomach is loaded with 
food, is very promotive of health. Habits of costive-— 
ness may often be remedied by drinking two glasses 
of cold water and then taking a walk, following this | 
by two glasses of the same on returning, This must be | 
done before breakfast. To this may be added a loosen- 
ing diet of cooked fruit, and bread of unbolted wheat. a 












CHAPTER VIII. 


ON CLOTHING. 


tality, that one quarter of the human race perishes 
in infancy. This is a fact not in accordance with 
the analogy of Nature. No such’ mortality prevails 4 


















Re NE pO ER TER Se SP a i em Me ee oS Sa AE eS ae Temremel SO aC Sie VS” Bm 0 SR ly eh BO Ce) el ae 
eae Ee wry KE Te NIM PRM ee tee ll. 1 Pon Sesh ay tad MeL MN a Lip 





ON CLOTHING. 113 


a4 


among the young of animals; it does not appear to 
_ be the design of the Creator : and it must be owing 
. “to causes which can be removed. Medical men agree 
in the opinion, that a great portion of this mortality, is 
re - owing to mismanagement, in reference to fresh air, 
food, and clothing. 
At birth, the circulation is chiefly in the vessels of 
the skin; for the liver and stomach, being feeble in ac- 
tion, demand less blood, and it resorts to the surface. 
If, therefore, an infant be exposed to cold, the blood is 
driven inward, by the contracting of the blood-vessels 
in the skin; and, the internal organs being thus over- 
_ stimulated, bowel complaints, croup, convulsions, or 
some other evil, ensues. ‘This shows the sad mistake 
of parents, who plunge infants in cold water to strength- 
en their constitution; and teaches, that infants should 
be washed in warm water, and in a warm room. Some 
have constitutions strong enough to bear mismanagement 
in these respects ; but many fail in consequence of it. 

Hence we see the importance of dressing infants 
warmly, and protecting them from exposure to a cold 
temperature. It is for this purpose, that mothers, now, 
very generally, cover the arms and.necks of infants, 
especially in Winter. Fathers and mothers, if they- 
were obliged to go with bare arms and necks, even in 
moderate weather, would often shiver with cold; and 
yet they have a power of constitution which would sub- 
ject them to far less hazard and discomfort, than a deli- 
cate infant must experience from a similar exposure. 
‘This mode of dressing infants, with bare necks and 
arms, has arisen from the common impression, that they 
have a power of resisting cold superior to older persons. 
This is a mistake ; for the experiments of medical men 
have established the fact, that the power of producing 
heat is least in the period of infancy. 

Extensive investigations have been made in France, 
in reference to this point. It is there required, in some 
districts, that every infant, at birth, be carried to the 
office of the maitre, [mayor,] to be registered. It ig 

10* D. E. 





a ny 


‘ high a temperature, is relaxed and weakened by 


have the care of children, i is owing to their throwing off 


































ON CLOTHING. 
found, in these districts, that the deaths of | 
infants, are much more numerous. in the c 


tance oe i the office of the 7 maire, than among t in 
its vicinity. This proves, that exposure to. cold 

much to do with the continuance of infant life. 
_ But it is as dangerous to go to the other extreme, % 
keep the body too warm. The skin, when kept 


profuse perspiration, and becomes more sensitive 
more readily affected by every change of temperat e 
This increases the liabilities to sudden colds; and 
frequently* happens, that the children, who are mo 
carefully guarded from cold, are the ones most liable to 
take sudden and dangerous chills. ‘The reason is, that, 
by the too great accumulation of clothing, the skin is too. 
much excited, and the blood is withdrawn from the in-— 
ternal organs, thus weakening them, while the skin 
itself is debilitated by the same process. = = 

The rule of safety, is, so to cover the body, as to © 
keep it entirely warm, but not so as to induce perspira-_ 
tion in any part. The perspiration induced by exercise 
is healthful, because it increases the appetite; but the ‘st 
perspiration produced by excess of clothing is debili- © ie. 
tating. ‘This shows the importance of adjusting beds F 
and their covering to the season. Featherbeds are un- : 
healthful in warm weather, because they induce perspi- 
ration ; and in all cases, those. who have the care of 
children, should proportion their covering by night to 
the season of the year. Infants and children should 
never be so clothed, as either to feel chilly, or to induce a 
perspiration. 

The greatest trouble, in this respect, to those who 








their covering in the night. The best guard, against. 
such exposures, Is a nightgown, of the warmest and 
thickest material, made like pantaloons at the lower part, — 
and the legs long, so that they can be tied over the feet. a 







ie 


ON CLOTHING. cu SEED 


Thi : makes a covering needful, and saves the child — 

ft m excessive cold when it is thrown off, 

2 The clothing ought always to be proportioned to the 

5 constitution and habits. A person of strong constitu- 

tion, who takes much exercise, needs less clothing than 
one of delicate’ and sedentary habits. According to 
_ this rule, women need much thicker and warmer .cloth- 

§ ing; when they go out, than men. But how different 
are our customs, from what sound wisdom dictates! 
Women go out with thin stockings, thin shoes, and 
open necks, when men are protected by thick woollen 
hose and boots, and their whole body encased in many 
folds of flannel and broadcloth. 

On the subject of wearing woolens next the skin, the 
medical profession are changing their opinions. Here- 
tofore it has been considered important for young chil- 
dren and invalids to wear flannel next the skin, but 
now it is believed that the constant friction of the flan- 
nel tends to debilitate the skin, and that the good to be 
secured by wearing flannel, without this evil, is gained 
by having it over an under-garment of cotton. Wear- 
ing flannel next the skin, through the night, is especial- 
ly injurious, and therefore the woolen night-gowns of 
young children and invalids should never be worn next 
the skin. It has often been found that persons who have 
suffered from rheumatism, and on this account have 
worn flannel next the skin, have been relieved from 
this disease by simply leaving off the flannel. 

The best protection against sudden changes, and 
against the malaria of disease or bad climate, is to 
strengthen the skin by frequent ablutions of the whole 

_ body incold water. All persons, by a gradual process, 
can accustom themselves to this, without any danger, 
and with immense benefits. Cold bathing should al- 
ways be followed by exercise, continued until a glow 
is produced. It never should be taken till three hours 
after eating. Infants should gradually be accustomed 
to cold water after the second month, and all young chil- 
fyen should be washed all over in cold water every day. 

But the practice, by which females probably ‘suffer 












‘116 | ON CLOTHING. 
most, is, the use of tight dresses. Much h 
against the use of corsets by ladies. But the 
worn with perfect safety, and be left off, and still i i 
such as they often produce, be equally felt, It is the 
striction of dress, that is to be feared, and not an | 
ticular article that produces it. A frock, or a belt, may — 
be so tight, as to be even worse than a corset, which * 
would more equally divide the compression. — 7 
So long as it is the fashion to admire, as models. ree “a 
elegance, ‘the wasp-like figures which are presented ate 
the rooms of mantuamakers and milliners, there willbe 
hundreds of foolish women, who will isk. their lives — 
and health to secure some resemblance to these de- 
formities of the human frame. But it is believed, that | 
all sensible women, when they fairly understand - the , 
evils which result from tight dressing, and learn the.real 
model of taste and beauty for a perfect female form, 
will never risk their own health, or the health of their 
daughters, in efforts to secure one which is as ‘much at 
variance with good taste, as it is with good health. 
Such female figures as our print-shops present, are — 
made, not by the ‘hand of the Author of all grace and 
beauty, but by the murderous contrivances of the corset- — 
shop; and the more a woman learns the true rules of © 
srace and beauty for the female form, the more her — 
taste will revolt from such ridiculous distortions. The 
folly of the Chinese belle, who totters on two useless 
deformities, is nothing, compared to that of the Ameri- 
can belle, -who impedes all the internal organs in the 
discharge of their functions, that she may have a sleng 
der waist. a 
It was shown, in the article on‘the bones and : mus a 
cles, that exercise was indispensable to their growth ahd 
strength. If any muscles are left unemployed, they 3 
diminish in size and strength. The girding of tight — 
dresses operates thus on the muscles of the body. . 1m 
an article, like corsets, is made to hold up the bei ; 








ss. eee 


a eee 





ON CLOTHING. _» ER 





a aas been continued for some time, leaving off the 
unnatural support produces a feeling of weakness. 
_ Thus a person will complain of feeling so weak and 
unsupported, without corsets, as to be “uncomfortable. 
_ This is entirely owing to the disuse of those muscles, 
_ which corsets throw out of empioy. 

Another effect of tight dress, is, to stop or impede 
the office of the lungs. Unless the chest can expand, 
fully, and with perfect ease, a portion of the lungs is 
not filled with air, and thus the full purification of the 
blood is prevented. ‘This movement of the lungs, when 
they are fully inflated, increases the peristaltic move- 
ment of the stomach and bowels, and promotes diges- 
tion; any constriction of the waist tends to impede ‘this 
important operation, and indigestion, with all its attend- 
ant evils, is often the result. 

The rule of safety, in regard to the tightness of dress, 

is this. Every person should be dressed so loosely, 
that, when sitting in the posture used in sewing, reading, 
or study, THE LuNGs can be as fully and as easily in- 
jlated, as they are without clothing. Many a woman 

_ thinks she dresses loosely, because, when she stands 

up, her clothing does not confine her chest. This is 
not a fair test. It is in the position most used when 
engaged in common employments, that we are to judge 
of the constriction of dress. Let every woman, then, 
bear in mind, that, just so long as her dress and posi- 
tion-oppose any resistance to the motion of her chest, — 
in just such proportion her blood is unpurified, and her 
vital organs are debilitated. 

The English ladies set our countrywomen a good 
example, in accommodating. their dress to times and 
seasons. The richest and noblest among them wear 
warm cotton hose and thick shoes, when they walk for 
exercise ; and would deem it vulgar to appear, as many 
of our ladies do, with thin hose and shoes, in damp or 
cold weather. “Any mode of dress, not suited to the 
employment, the age, the season, or the means of the 
wearer, is in bad taste. 





CHAPTER IX 79 ae 


ON CLEANLINESS. 


oT an importance of cleanliness, in person and sean d 
can never be fully realized, by persons who are ignorant _ 
of the: construction of the skin, and of the influence | % 
which its treatment has on the health of the body. — 





Persons deficient in such knowledge, frequently sneer — 
at what they deem the foolish and fidgety particularity ‘a 
of others, whose frequent ablutions and changes | of. = 


clothing, exceed their own measure of importance. 


The popular maxim, that “ dirt is healthy,” has prob-— 7 


ably arisen from the fact, that playing in the open air is 
very beneficial to the health of children, who thus get 
dirt on their persons and clothes. But it is the fresh 


air and exercise, and not the dirt, which promotes | the’ 


health. 


In a previous article, it was shown, that hee a 
bowels, kidneys, and skin, were the organs employed — 


in throwing off those waste and noxious parts of the 


food not employed in nourishing the body.. Of this, — 
the skin has the largest duty to perform; throwing off, ae 
at least, twenty ounces every twenty-four hours, by 4 


means of insensible perspiration. When exercise sets 


the blood in quicker motion, it ministers its supplies — 


faster, and there is consequently a greater residuum to 


be thrown off by the skin; and then the perspiration — 
becomes so abundant as to be perceptible. In this — 
state, if a sudden chill take place, the blood-vessels of 


the skin contract, the blood is driven from the surface, 


and the internal organs are taxed with a double duty. © 
If the constitution be a strong one, these organs march — 
on and perform the labor exacted. But if any of these 
organs be debilitated, the weakest one pene gives 


way, and some disease ensues. 


One of the most frequent illustrations of this recipedes i. 


a2 er ace Lee Spe en Fe 3 . 
SE cur) Syn) ee eg oe ee 








7 : bm 


_ eated action, is afforded by a convivial meeting in cold 
_ weather. The heat of the room, the food, and the ex- 
citement, quicken the circulation, and perspiration is 
evolved. When the company passes into the cold air, 
_a sudden revulsion takes place. The increased circu- 


lation continues, for some time after; but the skin being 


cooled, the blood retreats, and the internal organs are 
obliged to perform the duties of the skin as well as their 
own. ‘Then, in case the lungs are the weakest organ, 
the mucous secretion becomes excessive; so that it 
would fill up the cells, and stop the breathing, were it 
not for the spasmodic effort called coughing, by which 
this substance is thrown out. In case the nerves are 
the weakest part of the system, such an exposure would 
result in pains in the head or teeth, or in some other 
nervous ailment. If the muscles be the weakest part, 
rheumatic affections will ensue; and if the bowels or 
kidneys be weakest, some disorder in their functions 
will result. : 

But it is found, that the closing of the pores of the 
skin with other substances, tends to a similar result on 
the internal organs. In this situation, the skin is un- 
able perfectly to perform its functions, and either the 
blood remains to a certain extent unpurified, or else 
.the internal organs have an unnatural duty to perform. 
Either of these results tends to produce disease, and 
the gradual decay of the vital powers. 

Moreover, it has been shown, that the skin has the 
power of absorbing into the blood particles retained on 
its surface. In consequence of these peculiarities, the 
skin of the whole.body needs to be washed, every day. 
This process removes from the pores the matter exhaled 
from the blood, and also that collected from the atmos- 
phere and other bodies. {f this process be not ofien 
performed, the pores of the skin fill up with the redun- 
dant matter expelled, and being pressed, by the clothing, 
to the surface of the body, the skin is both interrupted 
in its exhaling process, and its absorbents take back into 
the cystem portions of the noxious matter» Thus the 


ON CLEANLINESS. 119 . 


A 





CaO Ee OSE EL een cae 








120 ON SLEANLINESS. 


plood is not relieved to the extent desea while 1 
ceives back noxious particles, which are. thus carried t 
the lungs, liver, and every part of the system. 
“This is the reason why the articles worn next to the 
skin should often be changed; and why it is recom- 
mended that persons should not sleep in the article 
they wear next the skin through the day. The alternate 
change and airing of the articles worn next the body by — 
day or night, is a practice very favorable to the health 
of the skin. The fresh air has the power of removing 
much of the noxious effluvia received from the body by. 
the clothing. It is with reference to this, that on leav- 
ing a bed, its covering should be thrown open Hag | 
exposed to the fresh air. rie. 
The benefit arising from a proper care of the skin, i is 
the reason why bathing has been so extensively prac- 
tised by civilized nations, The Greeks and Romans 
considered bathing as indispensable to daily comfort, 
as much so, as their meals; and public baths were 
provided for all classes. In European countries, this 
practice is very prevalent, but there is no civilized na- 
tion which pays so little regard to the rules of health, 
on this subject, as our own. ‘To wash the face, feet, 
hands, and neck, is the extent of the ablutions practised 
by perhaps the majority of our people. : 
All persons in health can use the cold bath with great 
benefit if they follow it with brisk exercise, and even 
invalids, by a gradual process, can accustom them- — 
selves to this use of cold water without risk, provided _ 
exercise be taken immediately after. The shower bath — 
is not good for the young nor for nervous persons. If 
it is useful, it can be known by an invigorated feeling, 
and a warm glow on the skin; but if, ‘instead of this, — 
there be a feeling of debility, and the hands and feet 
become cold, it is a certain sign that this kind of bath- — 
ing is injurious. The best way to commence cold bath- 
ing is to put the water at 72° Fahrenheit, and then low- — 
er it one degree every two or three days, till it is at — 
60°, or even colder. After bathing, the body should 





- 





ON CLEANLINESS, ‘121 


i be rubbed with a brush or coarse towel, to remove 


the light scales of scarfskin which adhere to it, and 


also to promote a healthful excitement. 


-_ A bath should never be taken till three hours after 
eating, as it interrupts the process of digestion, by with- 
drawing the blood from the stomach to the surface. 
The cold bath never should be taken when a person 
feels chilly. Neither should it be taken when a per- 
son is suffering great exhaustion from fatigue. The 
best way is to take it when the skin is warm from the 
bed or from gentle exercise. The common opinion 
that it is dangerous to take a cold bath when in a per- 
spiration is. utterly fallacious. The skin is never so abla 
to resist cold as when in a glow of heat. This is the 
reason why the Swedes and Russians can rush, reek- 
ing, out of their steam baths, and throw themselves into 
the snow, and not only escape injury, but feel invigora- 
ted. Itis for a similar reason that we suffer less in going 
into the cold from a warm room, with our body entire- 
ly warm, than when we goout somewhat chilled. When 
the skin is warm, the circulation is active on the sur- 
face, and the cold does not so reduce its temperature 
but that increased exercise will keep up its warmth. 

~ When families have no bathing establishment, every | 
member should wash the whole person with cold wa- 
ter immediately on rising, and then take a brisk walk 
before breakfast. It is especially important that chil- 
dren have the perspiration and other impurities, which 
their exercise and sports have occasioned, removed from 
their skin before going to bed... The hours of sleep are 
those when the body most freely exhales the waste mat- 
ter of the system, and all the pores should be properly 
freed from impediments to this healthful operation. 
For this purpose, a large tin wash-pan should be kept 
for children, just large enough, at bottom, for them to 
stand in, and flaring outward, so as to be very broad at 
top. A child can then be placed in it, standing, and 
washed with a sponge, without wetting the floor. Being 
small at bottom, it is better than a,tub; it is not only 


smaller, but lighter, and at en less water. 
Il D. Fs 








ON EARLY RISING. 

as 
As ofBhese: remarks indicate the wisdom of th par 
Rios: pete habitually wash their children, all over, bef 
go to bed. ‘The chance of life and health, to such c 
dren, is greatly increased by this practice ; and no dot 
much of the suffering of childhood, from cutaneous. 
eruptions, weak eyes, earache, colds, and fevers, is owing — 
to a neglect of the skin. Eh 


% 









=F 
sts 
2s 


: The care of the teeth should be riddle. haketnak to” a 
a children, not merely as promoting an agreeable appear- 4 
ance, but as a needful preservative. ‘The saliva contains a ‘ 


tartar, an earthy substance, which is deposited on the — 


teeth, and destroys both their beauty and health.. This — 


can be prevented, by the use of the brush, night and 
morning. But, if this be neglected, the deposite. be- 
comes hard, and can be removed only by the dentist. 
If suffered to remain, it tends to destroy the health of 
the gums; they gradually decay, and thus the roots of 
the teeth become bare, and they often drop out. 


. 


_ When children are shedding their first set of sli ‘ 


care should be taken, to remove them as soon as they 
become loose ; otherwise the new teeth will grow awry. 
When persons have defective teeth, they can often be 


saved, by having them filled by a dentist. This also . 


will frequently prevent the toothache. 
Children should be taught to take proper care of their: 
- nails. Long and dirty nails have a disagreeable appear- 
ance. When children wash, in the morning, they 
should be supplied with an instrument to clean the nails, 
and be required to use it. ae 3 


CHAPTER X, 


ON EARLY RISING, 


Tuere is no practice, which has been more exten ee 
sively eulogized, in all ages, than early rising ; and. this. 


universal. impression, is an indication that it is founded 








- ON- EARLY RISING. 128 


on true philosophy. For, it is rarely the case, that the 
common sense of mankind. fastens on a practice, as 
_ really beneficial, especially one that demands self-denial, 
“without some substantial reason. 

This practice, which may justly be called a domestic 
Pecitue, is one, which has a peculiar claim to be styled 
American and democratic. The distinctive mark of 

aristocratic nations, is, a disregard of the great mass, 
and a disproportionate regard for the interests of certain 


privileged orders. All the customs and habits of such 


a nation, are, to a greater or less extent, regulated by 
this principle. Now the mass of any nation must 
always consist of persons who labor at occupations 
which demand the light of day. But in aristocratic 
countries, especially in England, labor is regarded as 
the mark of the lower classes, and indolence is consid- 
ered as one mark of a gentleman. This impression has 
eradually and imperceptibly, to a great extent, regu- 
lated their customs, so that, even in their hours of meals 
and repose, the higher orders aim at being different and 
distinct from those, who, by laborious pursuits, are 
placed below them. From this circumstance, while the 
lower orders labor by day, and sleep at night, the rich, 
the noble, and the honored, sleep by day, and follow 
their pursuits and pleasures by night. It will be found, 
that the aristocracy of London breakfast near mid-day, 
dine after dark, visit and go to Parliament between ten 
and twelve at night, and retire to sleep towards morn- 
ing. In consequence of this, the subordinate classes, 
who aim at gentility, gradually fall. into the same 
practice. The influence of this custom extends across 
the ocean, and here, in this democratic land, we find 
many, who measure their erade of gentility by the late 
hour at which they arrive at a party. And this aristo- 
cratic tendency is growing upon us, so that, throughout 
the Nation, the hours ‘for visiting and retiring are con- 
stantly becoming later, while the hours for rising cor- 
respond in lateness: 
The question, then, is one which appeals to American 


hae 


BI UR Oe TEN Ra aes ee got 7a ce ene wee 
Tih ae CO eg te eee teh eet eee 


124 _ ON EARLY RISING. 


women, as a matter of patriotism; as hapine a bearing 


on those great principles of democracy, which we con- 
ceive to be equally the principles of Christianity. ‘Shall a 
we form our customs on the principle that labor is de- 


grading, and indolence genteel? Shall we assume, by 


our practice, that the interests of the great mass are to 


be sacrificed for the pleasures and honors of a privileged 
few? Shall we ape the customs of aristocratic lands, 






in those very practices which result from principles and ae 


institutions that we condemn? Shall we not rather 


take the place to which we are entitled, as the leaders, — ; 


rather than the followers, in the customs of society, 
turn back the tide of aristocratic inroads, and carry 
through the whole, not only of civil and political, but 
of social and domestic, life, the true principles of demo- 
cratic freedom and equality? The following consid- 
erations may serve to strengthen an affirmative decision. 

The first, relates to the health of a family. ° Itisa 
universal law of physiology, that all living things flourish 
best in the light. Vegetables, in a dark cellar; grow 
pale and spindling,* éndl children, brought up in mines, 
are wan and stinted. This universal law, indicates the 
folly of turning day into night, thus losing the genial 
influence, which the light of day produces on all ani- 
mated creation. 

There is another phenomenon in the physiology of 
Nature, which equally condemns this practice. It has 
been shown, that the purification of the blood, in the 
Jungs, is secured, by the oxygen of the atmosphere ab- 
sorbing its carbon and hydrogen. ‘This combination 


forms carbonic acid and water, which are expired from. 


our lungs into the atmosphere. Now all the vegetable 
world undergoes a similar process. In the light of day, 
all the leaves of vegetables absorb carbon and. expire 


oxygen, thus supplying the air with its vital principle, 


and withdrawing the more deleterious element. But, 
when the light is withdrawn, this process is reversed, 


* Shooting into a long, small stalk or root. 


Pee De A ig \ 





“ON EARLY RISING. 125 


and all vegetables exhale carbonic acid, and i inspire the 
| oxygen of the air. Thus it appears, that the atmosphere 
__ of day is much more healthful than that of the night, 
especially out of doors. 

Moreover, when the body is fatigued, it is much 
more liable to deleterious influences, from noxious par 
ticles in the atmosphere, which may be absorbed by 
the skin or the lungs. In consequence of this, the last 
hours of daily labor are more likely to be those of risk, 
especially to delicate constitutions. This is a proper 
reason for retiring to the house and to slumber, at an 
early hour, that the body may not be exposed to the 
most risk, when, after the exertions of the day, it is 
- least able to bear it. 

The observations of medical men, whose icine 
have been directed to this point, have decided, that 
from six to eight hours, is the amount of sleep demand- 
ed by persons in health. Some constitutions require as 
much as eight, and others no more than six, hours of 
repose. But eight hours is the maximum for all per- 
sons in ordinary health, with ordinary occupations. In 
eases of extra physical exertions, or the debility of 
disease, or a decayed constitution, more than this is 
required. Let eight hours, then, be regarded as the 
ordinary period required for sleep, by an industrious 
people, like the Americans. According to this, the 
practice of rising between four and five, and retiring 
between nine and ten, in Summer, would secure most 
of the sunlight, and expose us the least to that period 
of the atmosphere, when it is most noxious. In Win 
ter, the night air is less deleterious, because the frost 
binds noxious exhalations, and vegetation ceases its in- 
spiring and expiring process; and, moreover, as the 
constitution is more tried, in cold, than in warm, 
weather, and as in cold weather the body exhales less 
during the hours of sleep, it is not so injurious to pro- 
tract our slumbers beyond the proper period, as it is in 
the warm months. But in Winter, it is best for grown 
persons, in health, to rise as soon as they can see to 

11* D. E. 





126 _ON EARLY RISING 







dress, and retiré so as not to allow more than eight 7 
hours for sleep. ed eee 

It thus appears, that the laws of our political: con- om 
dition, the laws of the natural world, and the constitu- 
tion of our bodies, alike demand that we rise with the 


light of day to prosecute our employments, and that we — ; 


retire within doors, when this light 1s withdrawn. 


In regard to the effects of protracting the time spent 
in repose, many extensive and satisfactory investigations 


have been made. It has been shown, that, during 


sleep, the body perspires most freely, while yet neither 
food nor exercise are ministering to its wants. Of 
course, if we continue our slumbers, beyond: the time 
required to restore the body to its usual vigor, there is 


an unperceived undermining of the constitution, by this — 


protracted and debilitating exhalation. This process, 
in a course of years, renders the body delicate, and less 


‘able to withstand disease; and in the result shortens 
life. Sir John Sinclair, who has written a large work. 


on the Causes of Longevity, states, as one result of his 


extensive investigations, that he has never yet heard or — 


read of a single case of great longevity, where the indi- 
vidual was not an early riser. He says, that he has 


found cases, in which the individual has violated some ~ 


one of all the other laws of health, and yet lived to 
great age; but never a single instance, in which any 
constitution has withstood that undermining, conse- 
quent on protracting the hours of repose beyond the 
demands of the system. 


Another reason for early rising, is, that it is indigpen- : 
sable to a systematic and well-regulated family. At 


whatever hour the parents retire, children and do- — 


mestics, wearied by play or labor, must retire early. 
Children usually awake with the dawn of light, and 


commence their play, while domestics usually prefer 


the freshness of morning for their labors. If, then, the 
parents rise at a late hour, they either induce a habit 
of protracting sleep in their children and domestics, or 
else the family is up, and at their pursuits, while their 









MEN | 


ON EARLY RISING. | ‘127 


"supervisors are in bed. Any woman, who asserts that 


her children and domestics, in the first hours of day, | 
s when their spirits are freshest, will be as well regu- 
lated without her presence, as with it, confesses that, 


which surely is little for her credit. It is believed, that 


any candid woman, whatever may be her excuse for 
* late rising, will concede, that, if she could rise early, it 


would be for the advantage of her family. A late 
breakfast puts back the work, through the whole day, 
for every member of a family ; and, if the parents thus 
occasion the loss of an hour or two, to each individual, 
who, but for their delay in the’ morning, would be use- 


- fully employed, they, alone, are responsible for all this 


waste of time. Is it said, that those, who wish to rise 
early, can go to their employments before breakfast? it 
may be replied, that, in most cases, it is not safe to use 
the eyes or the muscles in the morning, till the losses 
of the night have been repaired by food. In addition 
to this, it may be urged, that, where the parents set an 
example of the violation of the rules of health and in- 
dustry, their influence tends in the wrong direction; so 
that whatever waste of time is induced, by a practice 
which they thus uphold, must be set down to their 


account. 


But the practice of early rising har a relation to the 
general interests of the social community, as well as to 
that of each distinct family. All that great portion of 


the community, who are employed in business and — 


labor, find it needful to rise early; and all their hours 
of meals, and their appointments for business or pleas- 
ure, must be accommodated to these. arrangements. 
Now, if a small portion of the community establish 
very different hours, it makes a kind of jostling, in all 
the concerns and interests of society. The various 
appointments for the public, such as meetings, schools, 
and business hours, must be accommodated to the mass, 
and not-to individuals. The few, then, who establish 
domestic habits at variance with the majority, are either 
constantly interrupted in their own arrangements, Or 


Die sachet ene uy: Catia 
are IE ea, ape re im 
ep tira Tits Ge Tamale 

ond (ere Reyer ot fig 


vite iy it 


: h 
Sake 


3 
< 













128 ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 
else are interfering with the rights and in 
others. ‘This is exemplified in the case of school 
families where late rising is practised, either h 
irregularity, and neglect, are engendered m the family 

or else the interests HOF the school, and thus of the com- __ 
munity, are sacrificed, In this, and many other’ cone: 9 
cerns, it can be shown, that the well-being of the bulk” 
of the people, is, to a greater or less extent, impaired oe 
by this aristocratic practice. Let any teacher select 
the unpunctual scholars,—a class who most seriously _ 
interfere with the interests of the school;—and letmen __ 
of business select those who cause them most waste of — 
time and vexation, by unpunctuality ; and it will be 
found, that they are among the late risers, and rarely 
among those who rise early. Thus, it is manifest, that 
late rising not only injures the person and family which 
practise it, but interferes with the rights and conve- 
uience of the community. 


- 


CHAPTER Xt. 


ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 


In the preceding chapters, we have noticed the va- 
rious causes, which, one or.all, operate to produce that 
melancholy delicacy and decay of the female constitu- 
tion, which are the occasion of so much physical and 
mental suffering throughout this Country. 

These, in a more condensed form, may be enumer- 
ated thus: 

A want of exercise, inducing softness in the bones, 
weakness in the muscles, inactivity in the digestive 
organs, and general debility in the nervous system: A 
neglect of the care of the skin, whereby the blood has — 
not been properly purified, and the internal organs have 
been weakened: A violation of the laws of health, in 
regard to food, by eating too much, too fast, and too 





N DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 129 


often; ly using stimulating food and drinks; by 1 using 
them too warm or too cold § and by eating that which 
the power of the stomach i is not sufficient to digest: A 
~ neglect of the laws of health, in regard to clothing , by 
dressing too tight, and by wearing too little covering, 
in cold and damp weather, and especially by not 
_ sufficiently protecting the feet: A neglect to gain a 
proper supply of pure air, in sleeping apartments and 
schoolrooms, and too great a confinement to the house: 
The pursuit of exciting amusements at. unseasonable © 
hours, and the many exposures involved at such times : 
And lastly, sleeping by day, instead of by night, and pro- 
tracting the hours of sleep, beyond the period of repose 
demanded for rest; thus exhausting, instead of recruit- 
ing, the energies of the system. 

But all the other causes, combined, probably, do not 
produce one half the evils, which result from a want of 
proper exercise. A person who keeps all the functions 
of the system in full play, -by the active and frequent 
use of every muscle, especially if it be in the open air, 
gains a power of constitution, which can resist many 
evils that would follow from the other neglects and 
risks detailed. This being the case, there’can be no 
subject, more important for mothers and young ladies 
to understand, than the influence on the health, both 
of body and mind, of the negiect or abuse of the mus- 
cular system. 

It has been shown, in the previous pages, that all the 
muscles have nerves and blood-vessels, running in larger 
trunks, or minute branches, to every portion of the 
body. ‘The experiments of Sir Charles Bell and others, 
have developed the curious fact, that each apparently 
single nerve, in reality consists of two distinct portions, 
running together i in the same covering. One portion, is 
the nerve of sensation or feeling, the other, the nerve 
of motion. The nerves of sensation are those which 
are affected by the emotions and volitions of the mind° 
and the nerves of motion are those which impart 
moving power to the muscles. Experiments show 





43020 °% ‘ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 


that, where the nerves issue from the spine, the: oat te 
of sensation may be cut off without severing the nerve » 






of motion, and then the parts, to which this nerve ex- 


tends, lose the power of feeling, while the power of — 


motion continues; and so, on the other hand, the nerve 


of motion may be divided, and, the nerve of sensation — 
remaining uninjured, the power of pues 1s rejamen) 


and the power of motion is lost. | 
In certain nervous diseases, sometimes a Ajeet aie 


its power of feeling, and yet retains the power of mo- 


tion ; in other cases, the power of motion is lost, and 


the power of sensation is retained; and in other cases, — 
still, when a limb is paralysed, both the power of motion 


ad. of sensation are lost. 


Now, the nerves, like all other parts of the ies ‘ 


gain and lose strength, according as they are exercised. 
If they have too much, or too little, exercise, they lose 
strength; if they are exercised to a proper degree, they 
gain strength. When the mind is continuously excited, 
by business, study, or the imagination, the nerves of 
feeling are kept in constant action, while the nerves of 
motion are unemployed. If this is continued, for a long 
time, the nerves of sensation lose their strength, from 
over action, and the nerves of motion lose their power, 


from inactivity. In consequence, there is a morbid ex-— 


citability of the nervous, and a debility of the mus- 
cular, system, which make all exertion irksome and 
wearisome. ‘The only mode of preserving the health of 
these systems, is, to keep up in them an equilibrium of 
action. For this purpose, occupations must be sought, 
which exercise the muscles, and interest the mind; and 
thus the equal action of both kinds of nerves is secured. 
This shows why exercise is so much more healthful and 
invigorating, when the mind is interested, than when it 
isnot. Asan illustration, let a person go a shopping, 
with a friend, and have nothing to do, but look on; how 
soon do the continuous walking and standing weary! 
But suppose one, thus wearied, hears of the arrival of a 
very dear friend; she can instantly walk off a mile or 





’ 
a 

2 
¥ 












two, to meet her, without the least feeling of fatigue 


persons, exercise in which they will take an interest. 


-Long and formal walks, merely for exercise, though 


they do some good, in securing fresh air and some ex- 
ercise of the muscles, would be of triple benefit, if 
changed to amusing sports, or to the cultivation of 


Sruits and flowers, in which it is impossible to engage, 


without acquiring a great interest. It shows, also, why 
st is far better to trust to useful domestic exercise, at 
home, than to send a young person out to walk, for the 
mere purpose of exercise. Young girls can seldom be 
made to realize the value of health, and the need of 
exercise to secure it, so as to feel much interest in 
walking abroad, when they have no other object. But, 


if they are brought up to minister to the comfort and 


enjoyment of themselves and others, by performing 


‘domestic duties, they will constantly be interested and 


cheered in their exercise, by the feeling of usefulness, 
and the consciousness of having performed their duty. 
_ There are few young persons, it is hoped, who are 


brought up with such miserable habits of selfishness and 


indolence, that they cannot be made to feel happier, by 
the consciousness of being usefully employed. And 
those who have never been accustomed to think or care 
for any one but themselves, and who seem to feel little 
pleasure in making themselves useful, by wise and proper 
influences, can often be gradually awakened to the new 
pleasure of benevolent exertion to promote the comfort 


ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. peers Ii 


Oo es EE ree ne Re ag NOVO ecg emily oes nd gM abe? ABS ae, Rw WTS 
ae) SN eR ead SiR SS Meee omens a bs, Sen gal 
GG 2 * 2; ~ 3) - - ? i * « x 


_ By this is shown the importance of furnishing, for young _ 


and enjoyment of others. And the more this sacred and ~ 


elevating kind of enjoyment is tasted, the greater is the 
relish induced. Other enjoyments, often cloy; but the 
heavenly pleasure, secured by virtuous industry and be- 
nevolence, while it satisfies, at the time, awakens fresh 
desires for so ennobling a good. 

But, besides the favorable influence on the nervous 
and muscular system, thus gained, it has been shown, 
hat exercise imparts fresh strength and vitality to all 
parts of the body. The exertion of the muscles quick- 


? 


ST Srmmr Reet ek) Soak eA hl 


oe) 


pe $3: tet ver —: 
an 


182 ; ON DOMESTIC “BXERCISE: «ae — 






dts Fastes to every part of the pres pai = course 
loses a portion of its nourishing qualities. “When. this 
is the case, the stomach issues its mandate of hunger, 
calling for new supplies. When these are furnished, 
the action of the muscles again hastens a full supply to 
every organ, and thus the nerves, the muscles, the 
bones, the skin, and all the internal organs, are invigor= 
ated, and the whole body developes its powers, in fair 
proportions, fresh strength and full beauty. All the 
cosmetics of trade, all the labors of mantuamakers, mil 
liners, makers of corsets, shoemakers, and hairdressers, 
could never confer so dew and pure a skin, so fresh a 
color, so finely moulded a form, and such cheerful” 
health and spirits, as would be secured by training a 
child to obey the laws of the benevolent Creator, in the ~ 
appropriate employment of body and mind in useful 
domestic exercise: And the present habits of the ~ 
wealthy, and even of those without wealth, which con- 
demn young girls so exclusively to books or sedentary 
pursuits, are as destructive to beauty and grace, as meee 

are to health and happiness. 

Every allowance should be made for the mistakes of 
mothers and teachers, to whom the knowledge which — 
would have saved them from the evils of such a course 
has never been furnished ; but as information, on these- 
matters, is every year becoming more abundant, it is _ 
to be hoped, that the next generation, at least, may be 


- saved from the evils which afflict those now on the stage. . 


What a change would be made in the happiness of this 
Country, if all the pale and delicate young girls should =~ 
become blooming, healthful, and active, and all the en- 
feebled and care-worn mothers should be transformed ~ 
into such fresh, active, healthful, and energetic matrons, 
as are so frequently found in our mother land! 

‘*It has been stated, that the excessive use of the 
muscles, as much as their inactivity, tends to weaken 
them. Nothing is more painful, than the keeping a 
muscle constantly on the stretch, without any relaxa- 





ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 133 


e ‘tion or change. This can be realized, by holding out 


an arm, perpendicularly to the body, for ten or fifteen 
minutes, if any one can so long bear the pain. Of 
course, confinement to one position, for a great length 
of time, tends to weaken the muscles thus strained. — 
_ This shows the evil of confining young children to 
their seats, in the schoolroom, so much and so long 
as is often done. Having no backs to their seats, as © 
is generally the case, the muscles, which are employed 
in holding up the body, are kept in a state of constant 
tension, till they grow feeble from overworking. Then, 
the child begins to grow crooked, and the parents, to 
remedy the evil, sometimes put on bracers or corsets. 
These, instead of doing any good, serve to prevent 
the use of those muscles, which, if properly exercised, 
~ would hold the body straight; and thus they grow still 
weaker, from entire inactivity. If a parent perceives 
that a child-is growing crooked, the proper remedy 
is, to withdraw it from all pursuits which tax one par- 
ticular set of muscles, and turn it out to exercise in 
sports, or in gardening, in the fresh air, when all the 
muscles will be used, and the whole system strength- 
ened. Or, if this cannot be done, sweeping, dusting, 
running of errands, and many household employments, 
which involve lifting, stooping, bending, and walking, 
are quite as good, and, on some accounts, better, pro- 
vided the house is properly supplied with fresh air. 
Where persons have formed habits of inactivity, 
some caution is necessary, in attempting a change ; 
this must be made gradually; and the muscles must 
never be excessively fatigued at any time. If this 
change be not thus gradually made, the weakness, at 
first caused by inactivity, will be increased by excessive 
exertion. A distinguished medical gentleman gives 
this rule, to direct us in regard to the amount of fa- 
tigue, which is safe and useful. A person is never 
too much fatigued, if one night of repose gives sufh- 
cient rest, and restores the usual strength. But, if the 
sleep is disturbed, and the person wakes with a feeling | 
12 D. E. 









‘Sa: ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. : 


of weariness and languor, it is a sure indivtels 
the exercise has been excessive. No more fatigue, — 
then, should be allowed, than one night's: rest. — a 
remedy, Ss 4 

Some persons object to sweeping, on account of ‘the a 
dust inhaled. But free ventilation, frequent sweeping, — Si 
and. the use of damp sand, or damp Indian: meal, or 4 
damp tea leaves, for carpets, will secure a more clear E 
atmosphere than is often found in the streets of cities. ‘ 
_ And the mother, who will hire domestics, to take away 
this and other domestic employments, which would — 
secure. to her daughters, health, grace, beauty, and 
domestic virtues, and the young ladies, who consent 
to be deprived of these advantages, will probably live 
to mourn over the languor, discouragement, pain, and 
sorrow, which will come with ill health, as the almost. 
inevitable result. 

The following are extracts from «The Young Lae 
dies’ Friend,’ on this subject :— 

“Whether rich or poor, young or old, married or 
single, a woman is always liable to be called: to the 
performance of every kind of domestic duty, as well — 
as to be placed at the head of a family; and nothing; 
short of a practical knowledge of the details of house- 
keeping, can ever make those duties easy, or render 
her competent to direct others in the performance of. 
them. 

‘All moral writers on female character, treat of 
Domestic Economy as an indispensable part of female 
education ; and this, too, in the old countries of Eu- 
rope, where an abundant population, and the institu- — 
tions of society, render it easy to secure the services 
of faithful domestics.” 

‘‘ All female characters that are held up to admira-_ 
tion, whether in fiction or biography, will be found to 
possess these domestic accomplishments; and, if they ¥ 
are considered indispensable in the Old World, how 
much more are they needed, in this land of inde- 
pendence, where riches cannot exempt the mistress of 











ON DOMESTIC EXERCISE. 135 


a sails from the difficulty of procuring efficient aid, 
and where perpetual change of domestics, renders per- 
_ petual instruction and superintendence necessary. 

- “Since, then, the details of good housekeeping must 
_ be included in a good female education, it is very de- 
_ sirable that they should be acquired when young, and 
so practised as to become easy; and to be neaored 
dexterously and expeditiously.” 

“The elegant and accomplished Lady Mary Wortley 
Montagu, who figured in the fashionable, as well as 
the literary, circles of her time, has aids that ‘the 
most minute details of household economy become 
elegant and refined, when they are ennobled by senti- 
ment ;’ and they are truly ennobled, when we do them 
either from a sense of duty, or consideration for a 
parent, or love to .a husband. ‘'To furnish a room,’ 
continues this lady, ‘is no longer a commonplace affair, 
shared with upholsterers and cabinet-makers ; it is dec 
orating the place where I am to meet a friend or lover 
To order dinner is not merely arranging a meal with 
my cook; it is preparing refreshment for him whom 
I love. These necessary occupations, viewed in this 
light, by a person capable of strong attachment, are 
so many pleasures, and afford her far more delight, 
than the games and shows which constitute the amuse- 
ments of the world.’ 

“Such is the testimony of a titled lady of the last 
century, to the sentiment that may be made to mingle 
in the most homely occupations. I will now quote 
that of a modern female writer and traveller, who, in 
her pleasant book, called ‘Six Weeks on the Loire, 
has thus described the housewifery of the daughter of 
a French nobleman, residing in a superb chateau on 
that river. The travellers had just arrived, and been 
introduced, when the following scene took place. 

“<The bill of fare for dinner was discussed in my 
presence, and settled, sans facon,* with that delight- 


* Without formality, or useless ceremony. 


aE oo Rs, So ee Bey ey Seo On Ne p 
‘ 4 PO Ea eee oP Le en a ee Se 








IpB ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. Be ‘ 








ful frankness and gayety, which, in the Re ren: 
acter, gives a charm to the most trifling ocev 
Madenioiselle Louise then begged me to excuse her f ” 
half an hour, as she was going to make some creams, — 
and some pastilles. * J requested that I might accom- 
pany her, and also render myself useful; we accord- — 
ingly went together to the dairy. I made tarts @ P-An- be 
glaise,+ whilst she made confections and bonbons,t — 
and all manner of pretty things, with as much ease — 
as if she had never done any thing else, and as much ~ 
grace as she displayed in the saloon. I could not help ~ 
thinking, as I looked at her, with her servants about — 
her, all cheerful, respectful, and anxious to attend upon — 
her, how much better it would be for the young ladies 

in England, if they would occasionally return to the 
habits of their grandmammas, and mingle the animated — 
and endearing occupations of domestic life, and the 
modest manners and social amusements of home, with 

the perpetual practising on harps and pianos, and the 

incessant efforts at display, and search after gayety, 

which, at the present day, render them any thing but 

what an amiable man, of a reflecting mind and delicate 

sentiments, would desire in the woman he might wish 

to select as the companion of his life,’ ” 


ees 


CHAPTER XII. 


ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. 


Goop-MANNERS are the expressions of benevolence in 
personal intercourse, by which we endeavor to promote _ 
the comfort and enjoyment of others, and to avoid all 
that gives needless uneasiness. It is the exterior ex 
hibition of the Divine precept, which requires us to dc 

* Rolls of paste, or pastry, or sugarplums. a. 
\ 


t According to the English fashion. 
} Nice things or dainties, such as sweetmeats. 


: 





ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. 137 


to bieis. as we would that they should do to us. It 
is saying, by our deportment, to all around, that we 
consider their feelings, tastes, and convenience, as equal 
in value to our own. 

Good-manners lead us to avoid all practices which 

offend the taste of others; all violations of the con- 
ventional rules of propriety ; all rude and disrespect- 
‘ful language and deportment; and all remarks, which 
would tend to wound the feelings of another. 
_ There is a serious defect, in the manners of the 
American people, especially in the free States, which 
can never be efficiently remedied, except in the do- 
mestic circle, and during early life. It is a deficiency 
in the free expression of kindly feelings and sympa- 
thetic emotions, and a want of courtesy in deportment. 
The causes, which have led to this result, may easily 
be traced. 

The forefathers of this Nation, to a wide extent, 
were men who were driven from their native land, by 
Jaws and customs which they believed to be opposed 
both to civil and religious freedom. The sufferings 
they were called to endure, the subduing of those 
gentler feelings which bind: us to country, kindred, and 
home, and the constant subordination of the passions 
to stern principle, induced characters of great firmness 
and self-control. They gave up the comforts and re- 
finements of a civilized country, and came, as pilgrims, 
to a hard soil, a cold clime, and a heathen shore. 
They were continually forced to encounter danger, 
privations, sickness, loneliness, and death; and _ all 
these, their religion taught them to meet with calm- 
ness, fortitude, and submission. And thus it became 
the custom and habit of the whole mass, to repress, 
rather than to encourage, the expression of feeling. 

Persons who are called to constant and protracted 
suffering and privation, are forced to subdue and con- 
ceal emotion; for the free expression of it would 
double their own suffering, and increase the sufferings 
of others. -Those, only, who are free from care and- 

i2* DLE; 













~ 138 .ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. mat 


anxiety, and whose minds are mainly occupie 
cheerful emotions, are at full liberty to unveil i 3 
feelings. er 4 

It was under such stern and rigorous dinciplioa that — 
the first children in New England were reared; and ? 
the manners and habits of parents are usually, to a 
great extent, transmitted to children. Thus it comes 3 
to pass, that the descendants of the Puritans, now 
scattered over every part of the Nation, are predis-— 
posed to conceal the gentler emotions, while their man-— 
ners are calm, decided, and cold, rather. than free and 
impulsive. Of course, there are very many exceptions 
to these predominating results. 

The causes, to which we may attribute a eneral 
- want of courtesy in manners, are certain incidental 
results of our democratic institutions. Our ancestors, — 
and their descendants, have constantly been combating — 
the aristocratic principle, which would exalt one class 
of men at the expense of another. They haye had 
to contend with this principle, not only in civil, but 
in social, life. Almost every American, in his own 
person, as well as in behalf of his class, has had to 
assume and defend the main principle of democracy,— 
that every man’s feelings and interests are equal in 
value to those of every other man. But, in doing this, 
there has been some want of clear discrimination, 
Because claims, based on distinctions of mere birth, 
fortune, or position, were found to be injurious, many — 
have gone to the extreme of inferring that all dis-— 
tinctions, involving subordination, are useless, Such, 
would regard children as equals to parents, pupils 
to teachers, domestics to their employers, and subjects 
to magistrates ; and that, too, in all respects. | 

The fact, that certain grades of superiority and sub- 
ordination are needful, both for individual and public 
benefit, has not been clearly discerned ; and there has 
been a gradual tendency to an extreme, which has 
sensibly affected our manners. All the proprieties and — 
courtesies, which depend on the recognition of the 





ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. 139 


relative pete: of superior and subordinate, have been 
warred upon; and thus we see, to an increasing ex- 
tent, disrespectful treatment of parents, from children; 

of teachers, from pupils; of employers, from domestics : 
and of the aged, from the young. In all classes and 
circles, there is a gradual decay in courtesy of address. 
_ In cases, too, where kindness is rendered, it is often 
accompanied with a cold, unsympathizing manner, 
which greatly lessens its value, while kindness cr polite- 
ness is received in a similar style of coolness, as if it 
were but the payment of a just due. 

It is owing to these causes, that the American peo- 
ple, especially the inhabitants of New England, do not 
_ do themselves justice. or, while those, who are near 
enough to learn their real character and feelings, can 
discern the most generous impulses, and the most kind- 
ly sympathies, they are so veiled, in a composed and 
indifferent demeanor, as to be almost entirely concealed 
from strangers. 

These defects in our national manners, it especially 
falls to the care of mothers, and all who have charge 
of the young, to rectify; and if they seriously under- 
take the matter, and wisely adapt means to ends, these 
defects will be remedied. With reference to this ob- 
ject, the following ideas are suggested. 

The law of Christianity and of democracy, which 
teaches that all men are born equal, and that their 
interests and feelings should be regarded as of equal 
value, seems to be adopted in aristocratic circles, with 
exclusive reference to the class in which the individual 
moves. ‘The courtly gentleman, addresses all of his 
own class with politeness and respect; and, in all his 
actions, seems to allow that the feelings and conve- 
nience of others are to be regarded, the same as his 
own. But his demeanor to those of inferior station, 
is not based on the same rule. 

Among those, who make up aristocratic circles, such 
as are above them, are deemed of superior, and such 
as are below, of inferior, value. Thus, if a young, 







~ 140° ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. = 


ignorant, and vicious coxcomb, happens op ‘be bo 
Re: the aged, the virtuous, the learned, and the well- — 
: bred, of another class, must give his convenience “be” 4 
precedence, and must address him in terms of respect. e 
So, when a man of noble birth is thrown among the 
lower classes, he demeans himself in a style, which, 
to persons of his own class, would be deemed the 
height of assumption and rudeness. . 

Now, the principles of democracy require, that the 
same courtesy, which we accord to our own circle, — 
shall be extended to every class and condition ; and — 
that distinctions, of superiority and subordination, shall 
depend, not on accidents of birth, fortune, or occupa-_ 
tion, but solely on those rélation® which the good 
of all classes equally require. The distinctions de- — 
manded, in a democratic state, are simply those, which 
result from relations, that are common to. every Sa | 
and are for the benefit of ‘all. 

It is for the benefit of every class, that children” Be : 
subordinate to parents, pupils to teachers, the employed — 
to ther employers, and subjects to magistrates. In 
addition to this, it is for the general wellbeing, that_ 
the comfort or convenience of the delicate and feeble, 
should be preferred to that of the strong and healthy, 
who would suffer less by any deprivation, and that 
precedence should be given to their elders, by the 
young, and that reverence should be given to the 
hoary ‘head. 

The rules of good-breeding, in a derndeeue state, 
must be founded on these principles. It is, indeed, 
assumed, that the value of the happiness of each’ indi” 
vidual, is the same as that of every other; but, as 
there must be occasions, where there are advantages 
which all cannot enjoy, there must be general rules 
for regulating a selection. Otherwise, there would — 
be constant scrambling, among those of equal claims, © 
and brute force must be the final resort; in which 
case, the strongest would have the best of every 
thing. The democratic rule, then, is, that superiors, 





FN TOON hae 5 ee et 





ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. 141 


“m age, station, or office, have precedence of subordi- 
nates; age and feebleness, of youth and strength ; and 
the feebler sex, of more vigorous man.* 

There 1s, also, a style fol deportment and address, 
which is appropriate to these different relations. It is 
suitable for a superior to secure compliance with his 
wishes, from those subordinate to him, by commands ; 
_but a subordinate must secure compliance with his 
wishes, from a superior, by requests. It is suitable for 
a parent, teacher, or employer, to admonish for neglect 
of duty; but not for an inferior to adopt such a course 
towards a superior. It is suitable for a superior to take 
precedence of a subordinate, without any. remark; but 
not for an inferior, without previously asking leave, or 
offering an apology. It is proper for a superior to use 
language and manners of freedom and familiarity, which 
would be improper from a subordinate to a superior. 

The want of due regard to these proprieties, occa- 
sions the chief defect in American manners. It is very 
common to hear children talk to their parents, in a 
style proper only between companions and equals; so 
also, the young address their elders, those employed, 
their employers, and domestics, the members of the 
family and their visiters, in a style, which is inappropri- 
ate to their relative positions. A respectful address is 
required not merely towards superiors; every person 
desires to be treated with courtesy and respect, and 
therefore, the law of benevolence demands such de- 
meanor, towards all whom we meet in the social inter- 
course of life. ‘Be ye courteous,’ is the direction of 
the Apostle in reference to our treatment of all. 

Good-manners can be successfully cultivated, only in 
early life, and in the domestic circle. ‘There is nothing 
which depends so much upon habit, as the constantly 


* The universal practice of this Nation, in thus giving precedence 
to woman, has been severely commented on by Miss Martineau and 
some others, who would transfer all the business of the other sex to 
women, and then have them treated like men. May this evidence 
of our superior civilisation and Christianity increase, rather than 
diminish , 








The feeling, that it is of little consequence apes we be- 
have at home, if we conduct properly abroad, is a very- 
fallacious one. Persons, who are careless ae ill bred 
at home, may imagine that they can assume good- 
manners abroad ; but they mistake. Fixed habits of — 
tone, manner, language, and movements, cannot shes! 
suddenly altered ; and those who are illbred. at, home, 
even when they try to hide their bad habits, are sure to 
violate many of the obvious rules of propriety, and vets 
be unconscious of it. : ‘ 
And there is nothing, which would so effectually re- 
‘move prejudice against our democratic institutions, as. 
the general cultivation of good-breeding in the domes- ’ 
tic circle. Good-manners are the exterior of benevo-. 
lence, the minute and often recurring exhibitions of 
“peace and good-will;’’ and the nation, as well as the. 
individual, which most excels in the external, as well 
as the internal, principle, will be most respected and 
beloved. 3 
The following are the leading points, which claim 
attention from those who have the care of the young. — 
In the first place, in the family, there should be re- 
quired, a strict attention to the rules of precedence, _ 
and those modes of address appropriate to the various — 
relations to be sustained.. Children should always be 
required to offer their superiors, in age or station, the — 
precedence in all. comforts. and conveniences, and — 
always address them in a respectful-tone and manner. — 
The custom of adding “ Sir,” or “ Ma’am,” to “ Yes,” — 
or “ No,” is valuable, as a perpetual indication of are- 
spectful recognition of superiority. It is now going out — 
of fashion, even among the most wellbred people; — 
probably from a want “Of consideration of its impor- 
tance. Every remnant of courtesy of address, in our — 
customs, should be carefully cherished, by all who feel’ 
a value for the propriecties of good-breeding. " 4 





ON DOMESTIC. MANNERS. 143° 


_. If parents athe their children to talk to “rere and 
to the grown persons in the family, in the same style in 
_which they address each other, it will be vain to hope 
_ for the courtesy of manner and tone, which good-breed- 
_ ing demands in the general intercourse of society. In 
a large family, where the elder children are grown up, 
and the younger are small, itis important to require the 
latter to treat the elder as superiors. There are none, 
so ready as young children to assume airs of equality ; 
and, if they are allowed to treat one class of superiors 
in age and character disrespectfully, they will soon use 
the privilege universally. This is the reason, why the 
youngest children of a family are most apt to be pert, 
forward, and unmannerly.. 

Another point to be aimed at, is, to require children 
always to acknowledge every act of kindness and atten- 
tion, either by words or manner. If they are so trained 
as always to make grateful acknowledgements, when 
receiving favors, one of the objectionable features in 
American manners will be avoided. 

Again, children should be required to ask leave, 
whenever they wish to gratify curiosity, or use an arti- 
cle which belongs to another. And if cases. occur, 
when they cannot comply with the rules of good-breed- 
ing, as, for instance, when they must step between a 
person and the fire, or take the chair of an older person, 
they should be required either to ask leave, or to offer 
an apology. 

There is another point of good-breeding, which can- 
not, in all cases, be understood and applied by children, 
in its widest extent, It is that, which requires us to 
avoid all remarks which tend to embarrass, vex, mortify, 
or in any way wound the feelings, of another. ‘To 
notice personal defects; to allude to others’ faults, or 
the faults of their friends; to speak disparagingly of the 
sect or party to which a person belongs; to be inatten- 
tive, when addressed in conversation; to contradict 
flatly ; to speak in contemptuous tones ‘of opinions ex- 
pressed by another ;—all these, are violations of the 





to eA Under this head, comes the BHO ‘Of 
whispering, and staring about, when a teacher, or lec- : 
turer, or clergyman, is addressing a class or audience. | 
Such inattention, is practically saying, that what the 


person is uttering is not worth attending to; and per- 


sons of real good-breeding always avoid it. Loud 
talking and laughing, in a large assembly, even when 
no exercises are going on; yawning and gaping in 


company; and not looking in the face a person who — 


is addressing you, are deemed marks of ill-breeding. 

Another ‘branch of good-manners, relates to’ the — 
duties of hospitality. Politeness requires us to welcome 
visiters with cordiality ; to offer them the best accom- 
modations; to address conversation to them; and to 
express, by tone and manner, kindness and respect. 
Offering the hand to all visiters, at one’s own house, is 
a courteous and hospitable custom; and a cordial shake 
of the hand, when friends meet, would abate much of 
the coldness of manner ascribed to Americans. 

The last point of good-breeding, to be noticed, refers 
to the conventional rules of propriety and good taste. 
Of these, the first class relates to the avoidance of all - 
disgusting or offensive personal habits, such as fingermg 
the hair; cleaning the teeth or nails; picking the nose ; 
spitting on carpets; snuffing, instead of using a handker- 
chief, or using the article in an offensive manner; lifting ~ 
up the boots or shoes, as some men do, to tend them — 
on the knee, or to finger them ;—all these tricks, either 
at home or in society, children should be taught to 
avoid. | 
Another branch, under this head, may be called table 


manners. ‘lo persons of eood-breeding, nothing is — 


more annoying, than violating the conventional pro- 
prieties of the table. Reaching over another person’s 
plate; standing up, to reach distant articles, instead of 


asking to have them passed; using one’s own knife, — 


and spoon, for butter, salt, or sugar, when it is the 
custom of the family to provide separate utensils for the — 





ON DOMES110 MANNERS. 145 


purpose ; setting cups, with tea dripping from them, on 
the tablecloth, instead of the mats or small plates fur- 
mished ; using the tablecloth, instead of the napkins: 
eating fast, and in a noisy manner ; putting large pieces 
i_the mouth; looking and eating as if very hungry, 
or as if anxious to get at certain dishes; sitting at too 
great a distance from the table, and dropping food; 
laying the knife and fork on the tablecloth, instead of 
' on the bread, or the edge of the plate ;—all these par- 
ticulars, children should be taught to avoid. It is 
always desirable, too, to require children, when at table 
with grown persons, to be silent, except when addressed 
by others; or else their chattering will interrupt the 
conversation and comfort of their elders. They should 
always be required, too, to wait, in silence, till all the 
older persons are helped. | 

All these things should be taught to children, gradu- 
ally, and with great patience and gentleness. Some 
parents, with whom good-manners is a great object, are 
in danger of making their children perpetually uncom- 
fortable, by suddenly surrounding them with so many 
rules, that they must inevitably violate some one or 
other, a great part of the time. .Jt is much better to 
begin with a few rules, and be steady and persevering 
with these, till a habit. is formed, and then take a few 
more, thus making the process easy and gradual. _Oth- 
erwise, the temper of children will be injured; or, 
hopeless of fulfilling so many requisitions, they will be- 
come reckless and indifferent to all. 
_ But, in reference to those who have enjoyed advan 
tages for the cultivation of good-manners, and who 
duly estimate its importance, one caution is necessary. 
Those, who never have had. such habits formed in 
youth, are under disadvantages, which no benevolence 
of temper can remedy. ‘They may often violate the 
tastes and feelings of others, not from a want of proper 
regard for them, but from ignorance of custom, or want 
of habit, or abstraction of mind, or from other causes, 
which demand forbearance and sympathy, rather than 

13 D. Ep 





ete eto ty iy ales, oars. aay, as a Wate a Oe a a Se ate 
WRT eee Pie ie ek lee ne Lee ee ee RN NA MRE ced US 


displeasure. Ki ability to bear aa 
in manners, and to make candid and conside: 


sood-breeding. 









ance for a want of pebieng or for eee 






The advocates of monarchical and aristocratic insti- ¢ 
tutions, have always had great plausibility given to their : 
views, by the seeming tendencies to insubordination — 
and bad-manners, of our institutions. And it has been — 
too indiscriminately conceded, by the defenders of the 
latter, that such are these tendenties, and that the 
offensive points, in American manners, are ‘the neces- 


sary result of democratic principles. 


But it is believed, that both facts and reasoning are 
in opposition to this opinion. The following extract — 
from the work of De Tocqueville, exhibits the opinion 
of an impartial observer, when comparing American, 
manners with those of the English, who are eon ar 
the most aristocratic of all people. 

He previously remarks on the tendency of aristoera- 
cy to make men more sympathizing with persons of 
their own peculiar class, and less so towards those of 
lower degree ; and he then contrasts American manners 
with the English, claiming that the Americans are much 
the most affable, mild, and social. “In America, where 
the privileges of birth never existed, and where riches 
confer no peculiar rights on their possessors, men ac- 
quainted with each other are very ready to frequent the 
same places, and find neither peril nor advantage in 
the free interchange of their thoughts. If they meet, — 
by accident, they neither seek nor avoid intercourse ;' 
their manner is therefore natural, frank, and - open.” 
“If their demeanor is often cold and serious, it is never _ 


haughty or constrained.” But an “aristocratic pride 


is still extremely great among the English; and, as the 
limits of aristocracy are ill- defined, every body lives in 
constant dread, lest advantage should be taken of his 
familiarity. Unable to judge, at once, of the social po- - 
sition of those he meets, an Englishman prudently 





\ 


5 ON DOMESTIC MANNERS. 147 


-all contact with them. Men are afraid, lest 





“some slight service rendered should draw them into an. 


unsuitable acquaintance ; they dread civilities, and they 
- avoid the obtrusive gratitude of a stranger, as much as 
his hatred.” ; 

_ Thus, facts seem to show that when the most aristo- 
- ¢ratic nation in the world is compared, as to manners, 

with the most democratic, the judgement of strangers 
is in favor of the latter. : 

And if good-manners are the outward exhibition of 
the democratic principle of impartial benevolence and 
equal rights, surely the nation which adopts this rule, 
both in social and civil life, is the most likely to secure 
the desirable exterior. ‘The aristocrat, by his princi- 
ples, extends the exterior of impartial benevolence to 
his own class, only; the democratic principle, recuires 
it to be extended to all. 


_ There is reason, therefore, to hope and expect more. 


refined and polished manners in America, than in any 
other land; while all the developements of taste and 
refinement, such as poetry, music, painting, sculpture, 
and architecture, it may be expected, will come to a 
higher state of perfection, here, than in any other 
nation. : 

If this Country increases in virtue and intelligence, 
as it may, there is no end to the wealth which will pour 
in as the result of our resources of climate, soil, and 
navigation, and-the skill, industry, energy, and enter- 
prise, of our countrymen. This wealth, if used as intel- 
ligence and virtue dictate, will furnish the means for 
a superior education to all classes, and every facility for 
the refinement of taste, intellect, and feeling. 

Moreover, in this Country, labor is ceasing to be the 
badge of a lower class; so that already it is disreputable 
for a man to be “a lazy gentleman.” And this feeling 
must increase, till there is such an equalisation of labor, 
as will afford all the time needful for every class to im 
prove the many advantages offered to them. Already 
in Boston, through the munificence of some of her 


eo ay ee al 












KAS eee 


ae ee 


Les 


ge OT Aegan ois | Rhee eae 
: ‘ 


citizens, there are literary and scientific ad 
fered to all classes, rarely enjoyed elsewher | 
-cimnati, too, the advantages of education, now o 





ets 
Te 
: 





to the poorest classes, without charge, surpass what, 
some years ago, most wealthy men could purchase, for. 
any price. And it is believed, that a time will come, | 
when the poorest boy in America can secure advan-— 
tages, which will equal what the heir of the proudest 
pee can now command. sR 

- The records of the courts of Five Germany, 
(as detailed by the Duchess of Orleans,) in and suc- 
ceeding the brilliant reign of Louis the Fourteenth,—a 
period which was deemed the acme of elegance and — 
refinement,—exhibit a grossness, a vulgarity, and a 
coarseness, not to be found among the lowest of our 
respectable poor. And the biography of Beau Nash, 
who attempted to reform the manners of the gentry, in 


. the times of Queen Anne, exhibits violations of the rules 
of decency among the aristocracy, which the commonest 


yeoman of this Land would feel disgraced in perpe- 
trating. 

This shows, that our lowest classes, at this period; 
are more refined, than were the highest i aristocratic 
ands, a hundred years ago; and another century may 
show ‘the lowest classes, in wealth; in this Country, at- 
taining as high a polish, as adorns those who now are 
leaders of good-manners i in the courts of kings. 


CHAPTER XIII 


f= 


ON THE PRESERVATION OF <A GOOD TEMPER IN AL 
» HOUSEKEEPER. 


THERE is nothing, which has a more abiding influ- 
ence on the happiness of a family, than the preservation - 
of equable and cheerful temper and tones in the house- 
keeper. A woman, who is habitually gentle, sympa-_ 





A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. 149° 


_thizing, forbearing, and cheerful, carries an atmosphere 

_ about her, which imparts a soothing and sustaining in- 
_ fluence, and renders it easier for dil to do right, under 
her administration, than in any other situation. 
+ The writer has known families, where the mother’s 
_ presence seemed the sunshine of the circle around her ; 
imparting a cheering and vivifying power, scarcely real- 
ized, till it was withdrawn. Every one, without think- 
ing of it, or knowing why it was so, experienced a 
peaceful and invigorating influence, as soon as he en- 
tered the sphere illumined by her smile, and sustained 
by her cheering kindness and sympathy. On the con- 
trary, many a good housekeeper, (good in every respect 
but this,) by wearing a countenance of anxiety and dis- 
satisfaction, and by indulging in the frequent use of 
sharp and reprehensive tones, more than destroys all 
the comfort which otherwise would result from her sys- 
fem, neatness, and economy. 

There is a secret, social sympathy, which every mind, 
to a greater or less degree, experiences with the feelings 
of those around, as they are manifested by the coun- 
tenance and voice. A sorrowful, a discontented, or an 
angry, countenance, produces a silent, sympathetic in- 
fluence, imparting a sombre shade to the mind, while 
tones of anger or complaint still more effectually jar 
the spirits. pat 

No person can maintain a quiet and cheerful frame 
of mind, while tones of discontent and displeasure are 
sounding on the ear. We may gradually accustom 
ourselves to the evil, till it is partially diminished ; but 
it always is an evil, which greatly interferes with the 
enjoyment of the family state. There are sometimes 
cases, where the entrance of the mistress of a family 
seems to awaken a slight apprehension, in every mind 
around, as if each felt in danger of a reproof, for some- 
thing either perpetrated or neglected. A woman, who 
should go around her house with a small stinging snap- 
per, which she habitually applied to those whom she 
met, would be encountered with feelings very much like 

13* D.E 





voice, to inflict similar penalties for duties pier oe pe =" 


Yet, there are many allowances to be made for house 


keepers, who sometimes imperceptibly and unconscious-_ Pe 


ly fall into such habits. A woman, who attempts to 
carry out any plans of system, order, and economy, and 
who has her feelings and habits conformed to certain 
rules, is constantly liable to have her plans crossed, and 


her taste violated, by the inexperience or inattention. of 


those about her. And no housekeeper, whatever may a 


be her habits, can escape the frequent recurrence of 
negligence or mistake, which interferes with her plans. 


It is probable, that there is no class of persons, in the 
world, who have such incessant trials of temper, and 


temptations to be fretful, as American housekeepers. 
For a housekeeper’s business is not, like that of the 
other sex, limited to a particular department, for which 
previous preparation is made. It consists of ten thou- 
sand little disconnected items, which can never be so 
systematically arranged, that there is no daily jostling, 
somewhere. And in the best-regulated families, it is 
not unfrequently the case, that some act of forgetful- 
ness or carelessness, from some member, will disarrange 
the business of the whole day, so that every hour will 


bring renewed occasion for annoyance. And the more . 


strongly a woman realizes the value of time, and the 
importance of system and order, the more will she be 
tempted to irritability and complaint. 

The following considerations, may aid in preparing a 


woman to meet such daily crosses, with even a cheerful - 


temper and tones. 


In the first place, a woman, who has charge of a large Me 
household, should regard her duties as dignified, im- 
portant, and difficult. The mind is so made, as tobe © 


elevated and cheered by a sense of far-reaching influ- 
ence and usefulness. A woman, who feels that she is 


a cipher, and that it makes little difference how she E 
performs her duties, has far less to sustain and invigor- 





poe oe ee Ae er 





A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. 151 


ate her, than one, who ane estimates the importance 
of her station. A man, who feels that the destinies of 
a ‘nation. are turning on the judgement and skill with 
which he plans and executes, has a pressure of motive, 
_and an elevation of feeling, which are great safeguards 
from all that is low, trivial, and degrading. 

So, an American mother and housekeeper, who looks 
at her position in the aspect presented in the previous 
_ pages, and who rightly estimates the long train of influ- 
ences which will pass down to thousands, whose desti- 
nies, from generation to generation, will be modified by 
those decisions of her will, which regulated the temper, 
principles, and habits, of her family, must be elevated 
above petty temptations, which would otherwise as 
sail her. 

. Again, a housekeeper should feel that she really has 
creat difficulties to meet and overcome. A. person, 
who wrongly thinks there is little danger, can never 
maintain so faithful a guard, as one who rightly esti- 
mates the temptations which beset her. Nor can one, 
who thinks that they are trifling difficulties which she 
has to encounter, and trivial temptations, to which she 
must yield, so much enjoy the just reward of conscious 
virtue and self-control, as one who takes an opposite 
view of the subject. 

A third method, is, for a woman deliberately to cal- 
culate on having her best-arranged plans interfered 
with, very often ; and to be in such a state of prepara- 
tion, that the evil will not come unawares. So compli- 
cated are the pursuits, and so diverse the habits of the 
various members of a family, that it is almost impossible 
for every one to avoid interfering with the plans and 
taste of a housekeeper, in some one point or another. 
It is, therefore, most wise, for a woman to keep the loins 
of her mind ever girt, to meet such collisions with a 
cheerful and quiet spirit. 

Another important rule, is, to form all plans and ar- 
rangements in consistency with the means at command, 
and. the character of those around. A woman, why has 


ing PUR eeia nog Arg od Ve al oe So 






low.” ON THE PRESERVATION alec 


a heedless husband, and young children, a incomp e- 
tent domestics, ought. not to make such plans, as one — 
may properly form, who will not, in so many directions, 
meet embarrassment. She must aimoat just so much. 
as she can probably secure, and no more; and thus she 
will usually escape much temptation, and much of the . 

irritation of disappointment. a 
_ The fifth, and a very important, consideration, is, 
that system, economy, and neatness, are valuable, only so 
far as they tend to promote the comfort and well-being 
of those affected. Some women seem to act under the 

_ impression, that these advantages must be secured, at 
all events, even if the comfort of the family be the 
sacrifice. True, it is very important that children grow 
up in habits of system, neatness, and order; and it is 
very desirable that the mother give them every incentive, 

- both by precept and example: but it is still more im- 
portant, that they grow up with amiable tempers, that 
they learn to meet the crosses of life with patience and 
cheerfulness ; and nothing has.a greater influence to se- 
cure this, than a mother’s example. Whenever, there- 
fore, a woman cannot accomplish her plans of neatness 
and order, without injury to her own temper, or to the 
temper of others, she ought to modify and reduce them, 
until she can. 

The sixth method, relates to the government of the 
tones of voice. In many cases, when a woman’s do- 
mestic arrangements are suddenly and seriously crossed. 
it is impossible not to feel some irritation. But it és al- 
ways possible to refrain from angry tones. A woman 
can resolve, that, whatever happens, she will not speak, 
till she can do it ina calm and gentle manner. Perfect 
silence is a safe resort, when such control cannot be at 
tained, as enables a person to speak calmly; and this 
determination, persevered in, will eventually be crowned 
with success. | , 

Many persons seem to imagine, that tones of anger 
are needful, in order to secure prompt obedience. But 
observation has convinced the writer that they are never 


a 


ee 


”, 
er 





A GOOD TEMPER IN A HOUSEKEEPER. 153 


“necessary ; that an all cases, on administered in 
_ calm tones, would be better. A case will be given in 
illustration. 

A young girl had been repeatedly charged to. avoid a 
certain arrangement in cooking. On one day, when 
company was invited to dine, the direction was forgot 
ten, and the consequence was, an accident, which dis 
arranged every thing, seriously injured the principal 
dish, and delayed dinner foran hour. 'The mistress of 
the family entered the kitchen, just as it occurred, and, 
at a glance, saw the extent of the mischief. For a 
moment, her eyes flashed, and her cheeks glowed ; but 
she held her peace. After a minute or so, she gave di- 

_ Yections, im a calm voice, as to the best mode of re- 
trieving the evil, and then left, without a word said to 
the offender. 

After the company left, she sent for the girl, alone, 
and in a calm and kind manner pointed out the aggra- 
vations of the case, and described the trouble which 
had been caused to her husband, her visiters, and_her- 
self. She then portrayed the future evils which would 
result from such habits of neglect and inattention, and 
the modes of attempting to overcome them; and then 
offered a reward for the’ future, if, in a given time, she 
succeeded in improving in this respect. Not a tone of 
anger was uttered; and yet the severest scolding of.a 
practised Xantippe could not have secured such con- 
trition, and determination to reform, as was gained by 
this method. 

But similar negligence is often visited by a continuous 
stream of complaint and reproof, which, in most cases, 
is met, either by sullen silence, or impertinent retort, 
while anger prevents any contrition, or any resolution 
of future amendment. 

It is very certain, that some ladies do carry forward 
a most efficient government, both of children and do- 
mestics, without employing tones of anger; and there- 
fore they are not indispensable, nor on any account 
desirable. 





154 ON THE ‘PRESERVATION oF GOOD TEMPE 
; Though some ladies, of intelligence and refine 
do fall unconsciously into such a practice, it is cer 
very unlady-like, and in very bad taste, to scold 


the further a woman departs from all approach. to ues @ 


more perfectly she sustains her character as a lady. 








Another method of securing equanimity, amid ‘the | 4 
trials of domestic life, is, to cultivate a habit of making i 


~ allowances for the diffchbian ignorance, or temptations, 


of those who violate rule or neglect duty. It is vain, 
and most unreasonable, to expect the consideration and 
care of a mature mind, in childhood and youth ; or that 
persons, of such limited advantages as most domestics 


have enjoyed, should practise proper self-control, ane 
possess proper habits.and principles. 

Every parent, and every employer, needs. dally: is 
cultivate the spirit expressed in the Divine prayer, “ for 
give us our  trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us.” ‘The same allowances and forbearance, 
which we supplicate from our Heavenly Father, and 


desire from our fellow-men, in reference to our own 


deficiencies, we should constantly aim to extend to all, 
who cross our feelings and interfere with our plans. 








The last, and most important, mode of securmg a 


placid and cheerful temper and tones, is, by a right. 


view of the doctrine of a superintending Providence. 
All persons are too much in the habit of. regarding the 
more important events of life, as exclusively under the 


control of Perfect Wisdom. But the fall of a sparrow, 
or the loss of a hair, they do not feel to be equally the 


result of His directing agency. In consequence of this, 


Christian persons, who aim at perfect and cheerful sub- 


mission to heavy afflictions, and who succeed, to the 
edification of all about them, are sometimes sadly de- 
ficient under petty crosses. If a beloved child be laid 
in the grave, even if its death resulted from the care- 
lessness of a domestic, or of a physician, the eye is 


turned from the subordinate agent, to the Supreme — 4 
Guardian of all, and to Him they bow, without mur- 


mur or complaint. But if a pudding be burnt, or a 





1 
dy 






ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 155 


room badly swept, or an errand forgotten, then vexa- 
tion and complaint are allowed, just as if these events 
_ were not appointed by Perfect Wisdom, as much as the 
-sorer chastisement. ; 
» A woman, therefore, needs to cultivate the habitual 


_ feeling, that all the events of her nursery and kitchen, | 


are brought about by the permission of our Heavenly 


Father, and that fretfulness or complaint, in regard to 


these, is, in fact, complaining and disputing at the ap- 
pointments of God, and is really as sinful, as unsub- 
missive murmurs amid the sorer chastisements of His 
hand. Anda woman, who cultivates this habit of re- 
ferring all the minor trials of life to the wise and _ be- 
nevolent agency of a Heavenly Parent, and daily seeks 


His sympathy and aid, to enable her to meet them with ~ 


a quiet and cheerful spirit, will soon find it the peren- 
nial spring of abiding peace and content. 


CHAPTER XIV. 
on HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 


Tue discussion of the question of the equality of the 
sexes, in intellectual capacity, seems frivolous and _ use- 
less, both because it can never be decided, and because 
there would be.no possible advantage in the decision. 
But one topic, which is often drawn into this discussion, 
is of far more consequence; and. that is, the relative 
importance and difficulty of the duties a woman is calleq 
to perform. 

It is generally assumed, and almost as generally con- 
ceded, that woman’s business and cares are contracted 
and trivial; and that the proper discharge of her duties, 
demands far less expansion of mind and vigor of intel- 
lect, than the pursuits of the other sex. This idea has 
prevailed, because women, as a mass, have never been 
educated with reference to their most important duties ; 













loo ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 


ae that portion of their employmediet wie is 
least value, has been regarded as the chief, if not 
sole, concern of a woman. ‘The covering br the body, 
the conveniences of residences, and the gratification of 
the appetite, have been too much regarded as the sole : 
- objects, on which her intellectual powers are to be eXx- a 
ercised. 

But, as society radially shakes off the remnants Soe 
earn, and the intellectual and moral interests of 
man rise, in estimation, above the merely sensual, a 
truer estimate is formed of woman’s duties, and of the 
measure of intellect requisite for the proper discharge _ 
of them. Let any man, of sense and discernment, be- 
come the member of a large household, in which, a a 
well-educated and pious woman is endeavoring system- 
atically to discharge her multiform duties; let him fully 
comprehend all her cares, difficulties, and perplexities ; 
and it is probable he would coincide in the opinion, that 
no statesman, at the head of a nation’s affairs, had more 
frequent calls for wisdom, firmness, tact, discrimination, 
prudence, and versatility of talent, ‘than such a woman. 

She has a husband, to whose peculiar tastes and hab 
its she must accomitodate herself; she has children, 
whose health she must guard, whose physical! constitu 
tions she must study and develope, whose temper and 
habits she must regulate, whose principles she must — 
form, whose pursuits she must direct. She has con 
stantly changing domestics, with all varieties of temper 
and habits, whom she must govern, instruct, and direct: 
she is required to regulate the finances of ie domestic 
state, and constantly to adapt expenditures to the means __ 
and to the relative claims of each department. “She 
has the direction of the kitchen, where ignorance, for 
-getfulness, and awkwardness, are to be so regulated, 
that the various operations hall each start at the right 
time, and all be in completeness at the same given hour. 
She ies the claims of society to meet, calls to receive 
and return, and the duties of hospitality to sustain. She 
has the poor to relieve; benevolent societies to aid; 








3 a rs wen 
ae en ae OOS eee * 
Sear eee ee ee a ee fn fan’ 


7 rin: rt we 
i a i 





> 
o 





ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 157 


the schools of her children to inquire and decide about , 
the care of the sick ; the nursing of infancy ; and the 
endless miscellany of odd items, constantly recurring in 
a large family. 

Surely, it is a pernicious and mistaken idea, that the 
dutids, which tax a woman’s mind, are petty, trivial, or 
‘unworthy of the highest grade of intellect and moral 
worth. Instead of allowing this feeling, every woman 
should imbibe, from early youth, the impression, that 
she is training for the discharge of the most important, 
the anost difficult, and the most sacred and interesting 
duties that can possibly employ the highest intellect. 
- She ought to feel, that her station and_ responsibilities, 
in the great drama of life, are second to none, either as 
viewed by her Maker, or in the estimation of all minds 
whose judgement is most worthy of respect. 

She, who is the mother and housekeeper in a large 
family, is the sovereign of an empire, demanding more 
varied cares, and involving more difficult duties, than 
are really exacted of her, who, while she wears the 
crown, and professedly regulates the interests of the 
greatest nation on earth, finds abundant leisure for 
theatres, balls, horseraces, and every gay pursuit. 

There is no one thing, more necessary to a house- 
keeper, in performing her varied duties, than a habit of 
system and order; and yet, the peculiarly desultory na- 
ture of women’s pursuits, and the embarrassments re- 
sulting from the state of domestic service in this 
Country, render it very difficult to form such a habit. 
But it is sometimes the case, that women, who could 
and would carry forward a systematic plan of domestic 
economy, do not attempt it, simply from a want of 
knowledge of the various modes of introducing it. It 
is with reference to such, that various modes of securing 
system and order, which the writer has seen adopted, 
will be pointed out. 

A wise economy is nowhere more conspicuous, than 
in the right apportionment of time to different pursuits. 
There are duties of a religious, intellectual, social, and 

14 D. E. 


eee 











158 ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER 


domestic, nature, ee having different relative « 
on attention. Unless a person has some gener 
of apportioning these claims, some will intrenc 
others, and. some, it is probable, will be entirely ex- | 
cluded. ‘Thus, some find religious, social, and. domes- 
tic, duties, so numerous, that no time is given. togantel- 
lectual improvement. Others, find either social, or 
benevolent, or religious, interests, excluded by the ex 
tent and variety of other engagements. eae 3 
It is wise, therefore, for all persons to devise a gen- - i. 
eral plan, which they will’at least keep in view, and. 
aim to accomplish, and by which, a proper proportion ; 
of time shall be secured, for all the duties of lifes mote 
In forming such a plan, every woman must accom- 
modate herself to the peculiarities of her situation. If 
she has a large family, and a small income, she must 
devote far more time to the simple duty of providing a 
food and raiment, than would be right were she in af- 
fluence, and with a small family. It is impossible, 
therefore, to draw out any general plan, which all can 
adopt. But there are some general principles, which _ 
ought to be the guiding rules, when a woman arranges 
her domestic employments. These principles are to be | 
based on Christianity, which teaches us to “seek first 
the kingdom of God,” and to deem food, raiment, and 
the conveniences of life, as of secondary account. 
Every woman, then, ought to start with the assumption, 
that religion is of more consequence than any worldly — 
concern, and that, whatever else may be sacrificed, this, 
shall be the leading object, in all her arrangements, in 
respect to time, money, and attention. It is also one 
of the plainest requisitions of Christianity, that.we de- 
vote some of our time and efforts, to the comfort and 
improvement of others. There is no duty, so con- 
stantly enforced, both in the Old and New Testament, 
as the duty of charity, j in dispensing to those, who are 
destitute of the blessings we enjoy. In selecting ob- 
jects of charity, the same rule applies to others, as to 
ourselves ; their moral and religious interests are of the 











oN HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 159 


highest moment, and for them, as well as for ourselves, 
we are to “ seek first the kingdom of God.” 

__ Another general principle, is, that our intellectual and 

social interests are to be preferred, to the mere gratifi- 


_ cation of taste or appetite. A portion of time, there- 


fore, must be devoted to the cultivation of the intellect 
and the social affections. 
_ Another, is, that the mere gratification of appetite, is 
to be placed Jast in our estimate ; so that, when a ques- 
tion arises, as to which shall be sacrificed, some intel- 
lectual, moral, or social, advantage, or some gratification 
of sense, we should invariably sacrifice the last. 
Another, is, that, as health is indispensable to the 
discharge of every duty, nothing, which sacrifices that 
blessimg, is to be allowed, in order to gain any other 
advantage or enjoyment. ‘There are emergencies, when 
it is right to risk health and life, to save ourselves and 
others from greater evils; but these are exceptions, 
which do not militate against the general rule. Many 
persons imagine, that, if they violate the laws of health, 
in performing religious or domestic duties, they are 
guiltless before God. But such greatly mistake. We 


as directly violate the law, “thou shalt not kill,’ when — 


we do what tends to risk or shorten our own life, as if 
we should intentionally run a dagger into a neighbor. 
True, we may escape any fatal or permanently injurious 
effects, and so may a dagger or bullet miss the mark, 
or do only transient injury. But this, in either case, 
makes the sin none the less. The life and happiness 
of all His creatures are dear to our Creator; and He is 
as much displeased, when we injure our own interests, 
as when we injure those of others. ‘The idea, there- 
fore, that we are excusable, if we harm no one but our- 
selves, is false and pernicious. These, then, are the 
geneéfal principles, to guide a woman in systematizing 
her duties and pursuits. 

The Creator of all things, is a Being of perfect sys- 
tem and order; and, to aid us in our duty, in this 
respect, He has divided our time, by a regularly return- 












4 di bo Kaine 
160 ON HABITS OF. SYSTEM AND ORDER. 


ing day of rest pce worldly business. at followi 
this example, the intervening six days may be subdi- — 
vided to secure similar benefits. In doing this, : a certain — 
portion of time must be given to procure. the means of — 
livelihood, and for preparing food, raiment, and ewes | 
ings. To these objects, some must devote more, and q 
others . less, attention. The remainder of time not — 
necessarily thus employed, might be divided somewhat 
in this manner: The leisure of two afternoons and — 
evenings, could be devoted to religious and benevolent — 
objects, such as religious meetings, charitable associa 
tions, school visiting, and attention to the sick and poor 
The leisure of two other days, might be devoted to — 
intellectual improvement, and the pursuits of taste. 
The leisure of another day, might be devoted to social 
enjoyments, in making or receiving visits; and that —— 
of another, to miscellaneous domestic pursuits, not in- 
cluded in the other particulars. } 

It is probable, that few persons could carry out waeh 
an arrangement, very strictly ; but every one can make 
a systematic apportionment - of time, and at least awn 
at accomplishing it; and they can also compare the | 
time which they actually devote to these different ob- 
jects, with such a general outline, for the Nae as of 
modifying any mistaken proportions. 

Without attempting any such systematic eniplovaieak 
of time, and carrying it out, so far as they can control 
circumstances, most women are rather driven along, by 
the daily occurrences of life, so that, instead of being 
the intelligent regulators of their own time, they are 
the mere sport of circumstances. ‘There is nothing, 
which so distinctly marks the difference between weak 
and strong minds, as the fact, whether they control cir- 
cumstances, or circumstances control them. 7 

It is. very much to be feared, that the apportionment | 
of time, actually made by most women, exactly inverts — 
the order, required by reason and Christianity. - Thus, 
the furnishing a needless variety of food, the conve-- 
niences of dwellings, and the adornments of dress, 








ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 161 


often take a larger portion of time, Ah is given to 
any. other object. Next after this, comes intellectu- 
al improvement ; and, last of AAR benevolence and 
religion. — 

_It may be urged, that it is indispensable for most 
persons to give more time -to earn a livelihood, and te 
prepare food, raiment, and dwellings, than to any other 
object. But it may be asked, how much of the time, 
devoted to these objects, is employed in preparing 
varieties of food, not necessary, but rather injurious, 
and how much is spent for those parts of dress and 
‘furniture not indispensable, and merely ornamental ? 
Let a woman subtract from her domestic employments, 
all the time, given to pursuits which are of no use, 
except as they gratify a taste for ornament, or minister 
increased varieties, to tempt the appetite, and she will 
find, that much, which she calls ‘‘ domestic duties,’ and 
which prevent her attention to intellectual, benevolent, 
and religious, objects, should be called by a very differ- 
ent name. No woman has a right to give up atten- 
tion to the higher interests of herself and others, for the 
ornaments of taste, or the gratification of the palate. 
To a certain extent, these lower objects are lawful and 
desirable ; but, when they intrude on nobler interests, 
they become selfish and degrading. Every woman 
then, when employing her hands, in ornamenting her 
person, her children, or her house, ought to calculate, 
whether she has devoted as much time, to the intellec- 
tual and moral wants of herself and others. If she has 
not, she may know that she is doing wrong, and that 
her system, for apportioning her time and pursuits, 
should be altered. : 

_ Some persons, endeavor to systematize their pursuits, 
by apportioning them to particular hours of each day. 
For example, a certain period before breakfast, is given 
to devotional duties ; after breakfast, certain hours are 
devoted to exercise and domestic employments ; other 
hours, to sewing, or reading, or visiting ; and others, 
to benevolent Hutibs: But, in most cases, .{ 1s more 

14* D: F. 


Ne eis iit UT a SS Bey at ay 


Aas ois ~ - . 2 








47% os A Na nes 


ss 162 ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 


difficult to systematize the hours of each day, than 
to secure some regular division of the week. — 
In regard to the minutize of domestic ‘arrangemen ts, 
the writer has known the following methods to ‘be 
adopted. Monday, with some of the best housekeepers, , 
is devoted to preparing for the labors of the week. 
Any extra cooking, the purchasing of articles to be used 
during the week, the assorting of clothes for the wash, 
and mending such as would be injured without ;— 
these, and similar items, belong to this day. “‘Twesday | 
is devoted to washing, and Wednesday to ironing. On — 
Thursday, the ironing is finished off, the clothes < oat 
folded and put away, and all articles, which need. 
mending, are put in the mending basket, and attended 
to. Friday is devoted to sweeping and housecleaning. 
On Saturday, and especially the last Saturday of every 
month, every department is put in order; the castors 
and table furniture are regulated, the pantry : and cellar 
inspected, the trunks, drawers, and closets arranged, 
and every thing about the house, put in order for Sun- 
day. All the cooking, needed for Sunday, is also pre- 
pared. By this regular recurrence of a particular time, 
for inspecting every thing, nothing is forgotten till — 
ruined by neglect. q 
Another mode of systematizing, relates to providing 
proper supplies of conveniences, and proper places in ~ 
which to keep them. Thus, some ladies keep a large 
_ Closet, in which are placed the tubs, pails, dippers, 
soap-dishes, starch, bluing, clothes-line, clothes-pins, 
and every other article used in washing ;.and in the 
same, or another, place, are kept every convenience for 
ironing. In the sewing department, a trunk, with suit- 
able partitions, is provided, in which are placed, each 
in its proper place, white thread of all sizes, colored 
thread, yarns for mending, colored and black sewing- 
silks and twist, tapes and bobbins of all sizes, white 
and colored welting-cords, silk braids and cords, nee- 
dles of all sizes, papers of pins, remnants of linen and 
colored cambric, a supply of all kinds of buttons used 











‘ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 163 


Be suae family, black and white hooks and eyes, a yard 
‘measure, and all the patterns used in cutting and fitting. 
These are done up in separate parcels, and labelled. 

fe another trunk, are kept all pieces used in mending, 

arranged in order, so that any article can be found, 
without loss of time. A trunk, like the first mentioned, 

_ will save many steps, and often much time and per- 
plexity ; while by purchasing articles thus by the quan- 

tity, they come much cheaper, than if bought in little 
portions as they are wanted. Such a trunk should be 
kept locked, and a smaller supply, for current use, re- 

, tained in a work-basket. 

A full supply of all conveniences in the kitchen and 
cellar, and a place appointed for each article, very 
much facilitates domestic labor. For want of this, 
much vexation and loss of time is occasioned, while 
seeking vessels in use, or in cleansing those employed 
by different persons, for various purposes. It would be 
far better, for a lady to give up some expensive article, 
in the parlor, and apply the money, thus saved, for 
kitchen conveniences, than to- have a stinted supply, 
where the most labor is to be performed. If our 
Countrywomen would devote more to comfort and 
convenience, and less to show, it would be a great 
improvement. :xpensive mirrors and pier-tables in 
the parlor, and an unpainted, gloomy, ill-furnished 
kitchen, not unfrequently are found under the same 
roof. 

Another important item, in systematic economy, 1s, 
the apportioning of regular employment to the various 
members of a family. If a housekeeper can secure 
the cooperation of all her family, she will find, that 
“many hands make light work.” There is no greater 
mistake, than in bringing up children to feel that they 
must be taken care of, and waited on, by others, with- 
out any corresponding obligations on their part. The 
extent, to which young children can be made useful, 
ma family, would seem surprising, to those who have 
never seen a systematic and regular plan for securing 





164 


their services. The writer has pean ina family, w 
a little girl, of eight or nine years of age, washed and 


dressed herself and young brother, and made their + 4 


small beds, before breakfast, set and cleared all the 
tables, at meals, with a little help from a grown person 


in moving tables and spreading cloths, while all the — 


dusting of parlors and chambers was also. neatly per- 
formed by her. A brother, of ten years old, brought 
in and piled all the wood, used in the kitchen ond 
parlor, brushed the boots and shoes, neatly, went on 


errands, and took all the care of the poultry. They 


‘were children, whose parents could afford to hire ser-— 
vants to do this, but who chose to have their children 
grow up healthy and industrious, while proper instruc- 
tion, system, and encouragement, made these services 
rather a pleasure, than otherwise, to the children. — 

Some parents pay their children for such services ; 
but this is hazardous, as tending to make them feel 
that they are not bound to be helpful without pay, 
and also as tending to produce a hoarding, money- 
making spirit. But, where children have no hoarding 
_ propensities, and need to acquire a sense of the value 
of property, it may be well to let them earn money, 
for some extra services, rather as a favor. When this— 
is done, they should be taught to spend it for others, 
as well as for themselves; and in this way, a generous 
and liberal spirit will be cultivated. 

There are some mothers, who take pains to tant 


their boys most of the domestic arts, which their sisters — 


learn. ‘The writer has seen boys, mending their own 
garments, and aiding their mother or sisters in the 
kitchen, with great skill and adroitness; and at an 
early age, they usually very much relish } joining in such 
occupations. The sons of such mothers, in their col- 
.ege life, or in roaming about the world, or in nursing 

a sick wife or infant, find occasion to bless the fore- 










oe epee, rN i 


tes 1S ie ae a) 


ye Ph ee ee ee ee 


hetoht and kindness, which prepared them for such 
emergencies. Few things are in worse taste, than for 


«a man needlessly to busy himself in women’s work: — 








ON HABITS OF SYSTEM AND ORDER. 165 


and yet a man never appears in a more interesting 
attitude, than when, by skill in such matters, he can 
«save a mother or wife from care and suffering. The 
- more a boy is taught to use his hands, in every variety 
_ of domestic employment, the more. his faculties, both 

of mind and body, are developed ; for mechanical pur- 
suits exercise the intellect, as well as the hands. The 
early training of N ew-England boys, in which they 
turn their hand to almost every thing, is one great 
reason of the quick perceptions, versatility of mind, 
and mechanical skill, for which that portion of our 
Countrymen is distinguished. 

The writer has known one mode of systematizing 
the aid of the older children in a family, which, in 
some cases of very large families, it may be well to 
imitate. In the case referred to, when the oldest 
daughter was eight or nine years old, an infant sister 
was given to her, as her special charge. She tended 
it, made and mended its clothes, taught it to read, and 
was its nurse and guardian, through all its childhood. 
Another infant was given to the next daughter, and 
thus the children were all paired in this interesting 
relation. In addition to the relief thus afforded to the 
mother, the elder children were in this way qualified 
for their future domestic relations, and both older and 
younger bound to each other by peculiar ties of tender- 
ness and gratitude. 

In offering these examples, of various modes of sys- 
tematizing, one suggestion may be worthy of attention. 
It is not unfrequently the case, that ladies, who find 
themselves cumbered with oppressive cares, after read- 
ing remarks on the benefits of system, immediately 
commence the task of arranging their pursuits, with 
great vigor and hope. ‘They divide the day into regu- 
lar periods, and give each hour its duty; they system- 
atize their work, and endeavor to bring every thing 
into a regular routine. But, in a short time, they find 
themselves baffled, discouraged, and disheartened, and 
finally relapse into their former desultory ways, in 


5 se) 
SPE AUS tay ty eee eae eee S 











~ 166 ON HABITS OF “SYSTEM AND ORDER. — oe 









a sort of ‘resigned despair. The difficulty? 
cases, is, that they attempt too much at a time.” 
is nothing, which so much depends upon habit, F 
systematic mode of performing duty ; and, wher 
such habit has been formed, it is impossible for a nov- 
ice to start, at once, into a tinieenead mode of systems 
-atizing, iil none Ayat an adept could. carry through. _ 
The only way for such persons, is, to begin with a little 
at atime. Let them select some three or four things, a 
and resolutely attempt to conquer at these points. In — 
time, a habit will be formed, of doing a few things | at 
regular. periods, and in a systematic way. Then it will 
be easy to add a few more; and thus, by a gradual 3 
process, the object can be secured, which it would be 4 
vain to attempt, by a more summary course. Karly os 
rising is almost an indispensable condition to success, 
in such an effort ; but, where a woman lacks either tie 4 
health or the energy to secure a period for devotional 
duties before breakfast, let her select that hour of the —— 
day; in which she will be least liable to interruption, — 
and let: her then seek strength and wisdom from the 
only true Source. At this time, let her take a pen, 
and make a list of all the things which she considers _ 
as duties. ‘Then, let a calculation be made, whether 
there be time enough, in the day or the week, for all — 
_these duties. If there be not, let the least important — 
be stricken from the list, as not being duties, and — 
which must be omitted. In doing this, let'a woman 
remember, that, though “ what we. shall: eat, and what 
we shall drink, and wherewithal we shall be clothed,” — 
are matters requiring due attention, they are very apt 
to obtain a wrong relative importance, while social, in- 
tellectual, and moral, interests, receive too little regard. 
In this Country, eating, dressing, and household — 
furniture and ornaments, take far too large a place in ~ 
the estimate of relative importance ; and it is probable, — 
that most women could modify their views and prac- 
tice, so as to come nearer to the. Saviour’s require- a 
ments. No woman has a right to put a stitch of orna 








: ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 167 


ment on any article of dress or furniture, or to provide 
one superfluity in food, until she is sure she can secure 
time for all her social, ‘intellectual, benevolent, and re- 
ligious, duties. If a woman will take the trouble to 
make such a calculation ‘as this, she will usually find 
that she has time enough, to perform all her duties 
easily and well. 
It is impossible, for a conscientious woman to secure 
that peaceful mind, and cheerful enjoyment of life, 
which all should sek, who is constantly finding her 
duties jarring with each other, and much remaining 
undone, which she feels that she ought to do. In con- 
sequence of this, there will be a secret uneasiness, 
which will throw a shade over the whole current of 
life, never to be removed, till she so efficiently defines 
and regulates her duties, that she can fulfil them all. 
And here the writer would urge upon young ladies, 
the importance of forming habits of system, while un- 
embarrassed with those multiplied cares, which will 
make the task so much more difficult and hopeless. 
Every young lady can systematize her pursuits, to a 
certain extent. She can have a particular day for 
mending her wardrobe, and for arranging her trunks, 
closets, and drawers. She can keep her workbasket 
her desk at school, and all her other conveniences, in 
their proper places, and in regular order. She can 
have regular periods for reading, walking, visiting, 
study, and domestic pursuits. And, by following this 
method, in youth, she will form a taste for regularity, 
and a habit of system, which will prove a blessing to 


her, through life. 


CHAPTER XV. 
ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 


os ° ° 
Ir is probable, that there is no point of duty, where 
conscientious persons differ more in opinion, or where~ 
they find it more difficult to form discriminating and 


i ill Mi ca ae RAS hin ot ln Te UN ae 
/ eS pay ad le Laas 8 inj hy Rs hss 4 en ls 





ee oye at ae eee Ore kate ae 
Fee A ah Rg ene eee ih ein gente 


ig AL) 


LAs Mamet can eaieR ol Si eh Looe ta 
% = : 7 : le et ‘ be i 3 


‘shall be bestowed, many a reflecting mind has been at — 







168. ON GIVING IN CHARITY. | 


decided views, than on the matter of charity. ‘T 
we are bound to give some of our time, money, and ~ 
efforts, to relieve the destitute, all allow. But, as to — 
how much we are to give, and on whom our charities — 


a loss. Yet it seems very desirable, that, in reference 
to a duty so constantly and so strenuously urged by the — 
Supreme Ruler, we should be able so to fix metes and — 
bounds, as to keep a conscience void of offence, and to 
free the mind from disquieting fears of deficiency. ot, 
_ The writer has found no other topic of investigation _ 
so beset with difficulty, and so absolutely without the - 
range of definite rules, which can apply to all, in all © 
circumstances. But on-this, as on a previous topic, 
there seem to be general principles, by the aid of which, 
any candid mind, sincerely desirous of obeying . the 
commands of Christ, however much self-denial may be 
involved, can arrive at definite conclusions, as to its — 
own. individual obligations, so that, when these are 4 
fulfilled, the mind may be at peace. "4 

But, for a mind that is worldly, living mainly to seek 
its own pleasures, instead of living to please.God,no 
principles can be so fixed, as not to leave a ready — 
escape from all obligation. Such minds, either by in 
dolence (and consequent ignorance) or by sophistry, 
will convince themselves, that a life of engrossing self- 
indulgence, with perhaps the gift of a few dollars, and 
a few hours of time, may suffice, to fulfil the -requi 
sitions of the Eternal J udge. 

For such minds, no reasonings will avail, till the : 
heart is so changed, that, to learn the will and follow — 
the example of Jesus Christ, become the leading objects 
of interest and effort. It is to aid those, who profess — 
to possess this temper of mind, that the following ane ‘a 
gestions are offered. 

The first consideration, which gives definiteness to — 
this subject, is, a correct view of the object for which 4 
we are placed in this world. A great many éven of — 
professed Christians, seem to be acting on the suppo- — 
sition, that the object of life is to secure as much as 








ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 169 


possible of all the various enjoyments placed within 
reach. Not so, teaches reason or revelation. From 
these, we learn, that, though the happiness of His crea- 
_ tures, is. the end for which God created and sustains 
them, yet, that this happiness depends, not on the 
various modes of gratification put within our reach, but 
mainly on character. A man may possess all the re- 
sources for enjoyment which this world can afford, and 
yet feel that “all is vanity and vexation of spirit,” and 
that he is supremely wretched. Another, may be in 
want of all things, and yet possess that living spring of 
benevolence, faith, and hope, which will make an Eden 
of the darkest prison. 
In order to be perfectly happy, man must attain that 
character, which Christ exhibited ; and the nearer he ap- 
proaches it, the more will happiness reign in his breast. 
_ But what was the grand peculiarity of the character 
ef Christ?: It was self- denying benevolence. He came 
not to “seek His own;’’? He “went about doing good,” 
and this was His “ meat and drink ;” that is, it was this 
which sustained the health and life of His mind, as food 
and drink sustain the health and life of the body. Now, 
the mind of man is so made, that it can gradually be 
transformed into the same likeness. A selfish being, 
who, for a whole life, has been nourishing habits of in- 
dolent self-indulgence, can, by taking Christ as his ex- 
ample, by communion with Him, and by daily striving 
to imitate His character and condiict, form such a 
temper of mind, that “doing good” will become the 
chief and highest source of enjoyment. And _ this 
heavenly principle will grow stronger and _ stronger, 
until self-denial loses the more painful part of its char- ° 
acter, and then, living to make happiness, will be so 
delightful and absorbing a pursuit, that all exertions, 
regarded as the means to this end, will be like the joy- 
ous efforts of men, when they strive for a prize or a 
crown, with the full hope of success. 
In this view of the subject, efforts and self-denial, for 
the good of others, are to be regarded, not merely as 
15 D, E 




































dities. enjoined for the benefit’ of othe 
moral training indispensable to the formati 
character, on which depends our own happine 
view, exhibits the full meaning of the Saviour 
tion, “how hardly shall they that have riches enter 
the ‘kingdom of God!” He had before. taught, 
the kingdom of Heaven consisted, not in such enjor 
ments as the worldly seek, but, in the temper of self- — 
denying benevolence, like His own; and, as the rich — 
have far greater temptations to indolent self-indulgence, _ 
they are far less likely to acquire this temper, than — 
those, who, by limited means, are inured to some de- 4 
gree of self-denial. pont 2M 
- But, on this point, one ipa ditnigtien svouda a 
to be made ; and that is, between the self-denial, which — 
has no other aim than mere self-mortification, and that, — 
which is exercised to secure greater good to ourselves _ 
and others. The first is the foundation of -monasticism, 
penances, and all other forms of asceticism; the: latter, 4% 
only, is that which Christianity requires. ; 4 
A second consideration, which may give dofiniteness @ : 
to this subject, is, that the formation of a perfect char- 
acter, involves, not the extermination of any principles 
of our nature, but rather the regulating of them, ac-— 
cording to the rules of :reason and religion; so that the — 
lower propensities shall always be’ kept subordinate to — 
nobler principles.. Thus, we are not to aim at destroy- 
ing our appetites, or at need! essly denying them, but 
rather so to regulate them, that they shall best secure 
the objects for “which they were implanted. We ar 
not to annihilate the love of praise and admiration ; 
' so to control it, that the favor of God shall be seaeuda 
more than the estimation of men. We are not to e 
tirpate the principle of curiosity, which leads us 1 
acquire knowledge ; but so to direct it, that all our a 
quisitions shall be useful and not frivolous or injuriou 
And thus, with all the principles of the mind, God h 
implanted no desires in our constitution, which are eV 
and pernicious. On the contrary, all our constitution 





‘propensities, either of mind or body, He designed we 
should gratify, whenever no evils would thence result, 


i 
+ 


ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 171 


either to ourselves or others. Such passions as envy. 


ambition, pride, revenge, and hatred, are to be extermi- 


nated; for they are either excesses or excrescences: 
not created by God, but rather the result of eur own 
neglect to form habits of benevolence and self-controi. 

In deciding the rules of our conduct, therefore, we 
are ever to bear in mind, that the developement of the 
nobler principles, and the subjugation of inferior pro- 
pensities to them, is to be the main object of effort, 
both for ourselves and for others. And, in conformity 
with this, in all our plans, we are to place religious and 
moral interests as first in estimation, our social and in- 
tellectual interests, next, and our physical gratifications, 
as subordinate to all. — : 

_A third consideration, is, that, though the means for 
sustaining life and health are to be regarded as necessa- 
ries, without which no other duties can be performed, 
yet, that a very large portion of the time, spent by 
most persons, in easy circumstances, for food, raiment, 


and dwellings, are for mere superfluities, which are 


right, when they do not involve the sacrifice of higher in- 
terests, and wrong, when they do. Life and health can 
be sustained in the humblest dwellings, with the plain- 
est dress, and the simplest food; and, after taking from 
our means, what is necessary for life and health, the 
remainder is to be so divided, that the larger portion 
shall be given to. supply the moral and intellectual 
wants of ourselves and’ others, and the smaller share to 
procure those additional gratifications, of taste and 
appetite, which are desirable, but not indispensable. 
Mankind, thus far, have never made this apportionment 
of their means; yet, just as fast as they have risen from 
a savage state, mere physical wants have been made, 
to an increasing extent, subordinate to higher objects. 
Another very important consideration, is, that, in 
urging the duty of charity, and the prior claims of 
moral and religious objects, no rule of duty should be 








































eC a 


< f ‘ ay ey 
V2 ON. GIVING IN CHARITY. | 


all Tmankind should practise coated t6 “it. 
of this, we are enabled to judge of the Correct 
those, who maintain, that, to be consistent, men beli 
ing in the eternal destruction of all those of our rac 
- who are not brought under the influence of the Chris- 
tian system, should give up, not merely the elegances, 
but all the superfluities, of life, and devote the whole _ 
of their means, not indispensable to life and health, for | 
the propagation of Christianity. But, if this is the ahty 9 
of any, it is the duty of all; and we are to inquire what — 
would be the result, if all conscientious persons gave up — 
the use of all superfluities. Suppose, that two millions — 
of the people in the United States, were conscientious 
‘persons, and relinquished the use of every. thing not — 
absolutely necessary to life and health. It would in- : 
stantly throw out of employment one half of the whole — 
community. The manufacturers, mechanics, Heit 4 
agriculturists, and all the agencies they employ, would — 
be beggared, and one half of those not reduced to 
poverty, would be obliged to spend all their extra — 
means, in simply supplying necessaries to the other — 
half. The use of superfluities, therefore, to a certain — 
extent, is as indispensable to promote industry, virtue, ‘ 
and religion, as any direct giving of money or time; — 
and it is owing entirely to a ‘want t of reflection, and of — 
comprehensive views, that any men ever make so gam . 
a mistake, as is here exhibited. 

Instead, then, of urging a rule. of duty, wer isa 
once irrational and impracticable, there is anothe 
course, which commends itself to the understanding 
of all. For whatever may be the practice, of intelligen 
men, they universally concede the principle, that ou 
physical gratifications should always be made subordi- — 
nate to social, intellectual, and moral, advantages. And — 
all that is required, for the advancement of our whole — | 
race to the most perfect state of society, is, simply, that 


jee a 


ae 


ws 





ON GIVING IN CHARITY. id 


+ 





| af: only a very small | portion, of the most intelligent of 


our race, should act according to this rule, under the 


control of Christian benevolence, the immense supplies, 
furnished, for the general good, would be far beyond 
what any would imagine, who had never made any 
calculations on the-subject.. In this Nation, alone, sup- 
pose the one million and more, of professed followers 
of Christ, should give a larger portion of their means, 
for the social, intellectual, and moral, wants of man- 
kind, than for the superfluities that minister to taste, 
convenience, and appetite ; it would be enough to fur- 
nish all the Eehsols: colleges, Bibles, ministers, and mis- 
sionaries, that the ‘whole world could demand; or, at 
least, it would be far more, than properly qualified 
agents to administer it, could employ. 

But, it may be objected, that, though this view is 
one, which, in the abstract, looks plausible and rational, 
not one in a thousand, can practically adopt it. How 
few keep any account, at all, of their current expenses ! 
How impossible it is, to determine, exactly, what are 
necessaries, and what are superfluities ! And in regard 
to women, how few have the control of an income, so 
as not to be bound by the wishes of a parent or a 
husband ! 

In reference to these difficulties, the first remark is, 
that we are never under obligations to do, what is en- 
tirely out of our power, so that those persons, who have 
no power to regulate their expenses or their charities, 
are under no sort of obligation to attempt it. The 
second remark is, that, when a rule of duty is discov- 
ered, we are bound to aim at it, and to fulfil it, just so 
far as we can. We have no right to throw it aside, 
because we shall find some difficult cases, when we 
come to apply it. The third remark is, that no person 
can tell how much can be done, till a faithful trial has 
been made. Ifa woman has never kept any accounts, 
nor attempted to regulate her expenditures by the right 
rule, nor used her influence with those that control Ree 

; 15* D. E. 


en should ich in Eeyoehent with this principle. And, 


ad 





Fook 
se 







Ae see can, or cannot, ‘do, till afied: a fair | 
been made. AL eR 
_ In attempting such a trial, the fulleeaae method 
be taken. Let a woman keep an account of a 
spends, for herself and her family, for a year, arranging 
the items under three general heads. Under the first, 
put all articles for food, raiment, rent, wages, and all 
conveniences. Under. the second, place all sums paid — 
in securing an education, and books and other ae Fe 3 
tual advantages. Under the third head, place all that q 
is spent for benevolence and religion. | ‘At the end of — 
the year, the first and largest account will show the: 4 
‘mixed items of necessaries and superfluities, which can 
be arranged, so as to gain some sort of idea how much _ 
has been spent for superfluities, and how much for ne- 
cessaries. Then, by comparing what is spent for super- 
fluities, with what is spent for intellectual and moral 
advantages, data will be gained, for judging of the as k | 
and regulating the future. 
Does a woman say she cannot do this? let heh in. 
quire, whether the offer of a thousand dollars, as a 
reward for attempting it one year, would not make her - 
undertake to do it; and, if so, let her decide, m her 
own mind, which is most valuable, a clear conscience, 
and the approbation of God, in this effort to do His 
will, or one thousand dollars. And let her do it, with 
this warning of the Saviour before her eyes,—“‘ No 
man can serve two masters.” “Ye cannot serve God 
and Mammon.”’ a 
Is it objected, How can we decide between. snpeetiel — 
ties and necessaries, in this list? it is replied, that we 
are not required to judge exactly, in all cases. Our 
duty is, to use the means in our power to assist us in 
forming a correct judgement ; to seek the Divine aid in 
freeing our minds from indolence and selfishness ; and 
then to judge, as well as we can, in our endeavors — 
rightly to apportion and regulate our expenses. — Many 
persons seem to feel that they are bound to do better a 





ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 173 





- than ies know how. But God is not so hard a Mas- 
= ter; and, after we have used all. proper means to learn 
the right way, if we then follow it, according to our 
_ ability, we do wrong to feel misgivings, or to blame our- 
selves, if results come out differently from what seems 
desirable. The results of our actions, alone, can never 
prove us deserving of blame. For men are often so 
placed, that, owing to lack of intellect or means, it is 
impossible for them to decide correctly. To use all the 
means of knowledge within our reach, and then to 
judge, with a candid and conscientious spirit, is all that 
God requires; and, when we have done this, and the 
event seems to come out wrong, we should never wish 
that we had decided otherwise. For it is the same as 
wishing that we had not followed the dictates of judge- 
ment and conscience. As this is a world designed for 
discipline and trial, untoward events are never to be 
_ construed as indications of the obliquity of our past 
decisions. _ 

But it is probable, that a great portion of the 3 women 
of this Nation, cannot secure any such systematic mode 
of regulating their expenses. To such, the writer 
would propose one inquiry; cannot you calculate how 
much time and money you spend for what is merely or- 
namental, and not necessary, for yourself, your children, 
and your house? Cannot you compare this with the 
time and money you spend for intellectual and benevo- 
lent purposes? and will not this show the need of some 
change? In making this examination, is not this brief 
rule, deducible from the principles before laid down, 
the one which should regulate you? Every person 
does right, in spending some portion of time and means 
m securing the conveniences and adornments of taste ; 
but the amount should never exceed what is spent in 
securing our own moral and intellectual improvement, 
nor exceed what is spent in benevolent efforts to supply 
the physical and moral wants of our fellow-men. 

-In making an examination on this subject, it is some- 
times the case, that a woman will count among the 



































176 ON GIVING IN CHARITY. 
necessaries of life, all the various modes of ador. 
person or house, practised in the circle in wl 
moves; and, after enumerating the many duties 
demand attention, counting these as a part, ‘she 
come to the conclusion, that she has no time, and 
little money, to devote to personal improvement, or to. 
benevolent enterprises. ‘T’his surely is not in agreement — 
with the requirements of the Saviour, who calls on us 
to seek for others, as well as ourselves, Sirst of alt, « a 
kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” Nie: 

In order to act in accordance with the rule here pre- 
_ sented, it is true, that many would be obliged to give 
up the idea of conforming to the notions and customs 
of those, with whom they associate, and compelled to 
adopt the maxim, “be not conformed to this world.” 
In many cases, it would involve an entire change in the 
style of living. And the writer has the happiness of 
knowing more cases than one, where persons, who have 
come to similar views, on this subject, have given up — 
large and expensive establishments, disposed of their 
carriages, dismissed a portion of their domestics, and 
modified ‘all their expenditures, that they might keep a 
pure conscience, and regulate their charities more ac- 
cording to the requirements of Christianity. And there 
are persons, well known in the religious world, who 
save themselves all labor of minute calculation, by de- 
voting so large a portion of their time and means to . 
benevolent objects, that they find no difficulty in know- —_~ 
ing that they give more for religious, benevolent, and” 
intellectual, purposes, than for superfluities. 7 4 

In deciding what particular objects shall receive our 
benefactions, there are also general principles to guide 7 
us. The first, is- that presented by our Saviour, when, = 
after urging the great law of benevolence, He was 
asked, “and who is my neighbor?” His reply, in the 
parable of ‘the Good Samaritan, teaches us, that any 
human being, whose wants are brought to our knowl- 
edge, is our neighbor. The wounded man was not — 
only a stranger, but he belonged to a foreign nation, 7 





ON GIVING IN CHARITY. Fv. 


_ peculiarly hated ; and he had no claim, except that his 
wants were brought to the knowledge of the wayfaring 
man. From this, we learn, that the destitute, of all 
nations, become our neighbors, as soon as their wants 

are brought to our knowledge. 

Another general principle, is this, that those who are 
most in need, must be relieved, in preference to those 
_who are less destitute. On this principle, it is, that we 
think the followers of Christ should give more to supply 
those who are suffering for want of the bread of eter- 
nal life, than for those who are deprived of physical 
enjoyments. And another reason for this preference, 
is, the fact, that many, who give in charity, have made 
such imperfect advances in civilization and Christianity, 
that the intellectual and moral wants of our race make 
but a feeble impression on the mind. Relate a pitiful 
tale of a family, reduced to live, for weeks, on potatoes, 
only, and many a mind would awake to deep sympathy, 
and stretch forth the hand of charity. But describe 
eases, where the immortal mind is pining in stupidity 
and ignorance, or racked with the fever of baleful pas- 
sions, and how small the number, so elevated in senti 
ment, and so enlarged in their views, as to appreciate 
and sympathize in these far greater misfortunes! The 
intellectual and moral wants of our fellow-men, there- 
fore, should claim the first place in our attention, both 
because they are most important, and because they are 

most neglected. - 

Another consideration, to be Herne in mind, is, that, 
in this Country, there is much less real need of charity, 
in supplying physical necessities, than is generally sup- 
posed, by those who have not learned the more excel- 
lent way. ‘This Land is so abundant in supplies, and 
labor is in such demand, that every healthy person can 
earn a comfortable support. And if all the poor were 
instantly made virtuous, it is probable that there would 
be no physical wants, which could not readily be sup- 
plied by the immediate friends of each sufferer. ‘The 
sick, the aged, and the orphan, would be the only ob- 








178 







jects of charity. rime 
effort, in relieving the poor, ohana be, to poe: th 
the means of earning their own support, and to su 
them with those moral influences, which’ are. mos 
fectual i in securing virtue and industry. | hig 
Another point to be attended to, is, the iapoue 
of maintaining a system of associated charities. There 
is no point, in which the economy of charity has more 
improved, than im the present mode of combinmg many = 
small contributions, for sustaining enlarged and system- 
atic plans of charity. If all the half-dollars, which are 
now contributed to aid in organized systems of charity, 
were returned to the donors, to be applied by the agency — 
and discretion of each, thousands and thousands of the — 
treasures, now employed to promote the moral and in- 
tellectual wants of mankind, would become entirely 
useless. In a democracy, like ours, where few are very 
rich, and the majority are in comfortable circumstances, 
this ‘collecting and dispensing of drops and rills, is the 
mode, by which, in imitation of Nature, the dews and 
showers are to distil on parched and desert lands. . And — 
every person, while earning a pittance to unite with. 
many more, may be cheered with the consciousness of — 
sustaining a grand system of operations, which must — 
have the most decided mfluence, in raising all mankind 
to that perfect state of society, which Christianity is 
designed to secure. . 
Another consideration, relates to the ‘ccna 
bestowal of charity. Persons, who have taken pains to _ 
inform themselves, and who devote their whole time to 
dispensing charities, unite in declaring, that this is one 
of the most fruitful sources of indolence, vice, and 
poverty. From several of these, the writer has learned, 
that, by their own personal investigations, they have as- 
certained, that there are large establishments of idle and. 
wicked persons, in most of our cities, who associate 
together, to support themselves by every species of im- 
position. They hire large houses, and live in constant 
rioting, on the means thus obtained. Among them, are 


> 





ON GIVING IN CHARITY. ~ 199 





women who have, or who hire the use of, infant chil- 
dren; others, who are blind, or maimed, or deformed, 

or who. can adroitly feign such infirmities, and, by these | 
means of exciting. pity, and by artful tales of wo, they 

collect alms, both in city and country, to spend in all 
manner of gross and guilty indulgences. Meantime, 
many persons, finding themselves often duped by im- 
postors, refuse to give at all; and thus many benefac- 
tions are withdrawn, which a wise economy in charity 
would have secured. For this, and other reasons, it is 
wise and merciful, to adopt the general rule, never to 
give alms, till we have had some opportunity of knowing 
how they will be spent. . There are exceptions to this, 
as to every general rule, which a person of discretion 
can determine. But the practice, so common’ among 
benevolent persons, of giving, at least a trifle, to all who 
ask, lest, perchance, they may turn away some, who are . 
really sufferers, is one; which causes more sin and mis- 
ery than it cures. 

The writer has never known any system for dis- 
pensing charity, so successful, as the one which, in 
many places, has been adopted in connection with the 
distribution of tracts. By this method, a town or city 
is divided into districts ; and each district is committed 
to the care of two ladies, whose duty it is, to call on 
each family and leave a tract, and make that the occa- 
sion for entering into conversation, and learning the 
situation of all residents in the district. By this 
method, the ignorant, the vicious, and the poor, are 
discovered, and their physical, intellectual, and moral, 
wants, are investigated. In some places, where the 
writer has resided or visited, each person retained the 
same district, year after year, so that every poor family 
in the place was under the watch and care of some in- 
telligent and benevolent lady, who used all her influence 
to secure a proper education for the children, to furnish 
them with suitable reading, to encourage habits of in- 
dustry and economy, and to secure regular attendance 
on public religious instruction.. Thus, the rich and the 




























180 —s oN ECONOMY or TIME. 


poor were brought in contact, in a way adva 
to both parties; and, if such a system could | 
sally adopted, more ‘would be done for the preve 
of poverty and vice, than all the wealth of the N 
‘could avail for their relief. But this plan canno 
successfully carried out, in this manner, unless there’ 
a large proportion of intelligent, benevolent, and self- 
denying, persons; and the mere distribution of tracts, a 
without the other parts of the plan, Is of very little 
avail. ~ ae 
But there is one species of charity, which needs — 
especial consideration. It is that, which mduces us~ 
to refrain from judging of the means and the relative 
charities of other persons. There have been’such in- — 
distinct notions, and so many different standards of | 
duty, on this subject, that it is rare for two persons to — 
think exactly alike, in regard to the rule of duty. Hach 
person is bound to inquire and judge for himself, asto 
his own duty or deficiencies; but as both the resources, 
and the amount of the actual charities, of other men 
are beyond our ken, it is as indecorous, as it is unchari- 
table, to sit in judgement on their decisions. | 


CHAPTER. XVL. an 
ON ECONOMY OF TIME AND EXPENSES. = 
On Economy of Time. 


Tue ‘value of time, and our obligation to spend 
every hour for some useful end, are what few minds 
properly realize. And those, who have the highest 
sense of their obligations in this respect, sometimes 
greatly misjudge in “their estimate “of what are useful 
and proper modes of employing time. This arises from 
limited views of the importance of some pursuits, which 
they would deem frivolous and useless, but which are, 








ON ECONOMY OF TIME. 18] 





in reality, necessary to preserve the health of body and 


_mind, and those social affections, which it is very im- 


‘ 


_ portant to cherish. Christianity teaches, that, for all 


the time afforded us, we must give account to God; 
and that we have no right to waste a single hour. But 
time, which is spent in rest or amusement, is often as 


‘usefully employed, as if it were devoted to labor or de- 


votion. In employing our time, we are to make suita- 
ble allowance for sleep, for preparing and taking food, 


for securing the means of a livelihood, for intellectual 


improvement, for exercise and amusement, for social 
enjoyments, and for benevolent and religious duties. 
And it is the right apportionment. of time, to these 
various duties, which constitutes its true economy. 

In making this apportionment, we are bound by the 
same rules, as relate to the use of property. We are 
to employ whatever portion is necessary to sustain life 
and health, as the first duty; and the remainder we are 
so to apportion, that our highest interests, shall receive 
the greatest allotment, and our physical gratifications, 
the-least. 

The laws of the Supreme Ruler, when He became 
the civil as well as the religious Head of the Jewish 
theocracy, furnish an example, which it would be well 
for all attentively to consider, when forming plans for 
the apportionment of time and property. To properly 
estimate this example, it must be borne in mind, that 
the main object of God, was, to preserve His religion 
among the Jewish nation; and that they were not re- 
quired to take any means to propagate it among other 
nations, as Christians are now required to extend Chris- 
tianity. So low were they, in the scale of civilization 
and mental developement, tha. a system, which con- 
fined them to one spot, as an agricultural people, and 
prevented their growing very rich, or having extensive 
commerce with other nations, was indispensable to pre- 
vent their relapsing into the low idolatries and vices of - 
the nations around them. 


The proportion of time and property, which every 
16 D. E. 








75 eee rae cs 2) ey 
Fae re hee ae one eee Le 
Dh i erik at aT nek bie, 

a hi 





































LS2% ON ECONOMY OF TIME. 
Jew: was required to devote to intellectual, be: 
and religious purposes, was as follows: 
In regard to property, they were required : 
-one tenth of all their yearly income, to sup} 
Levites, the priests, and the religious service. 
they were required to give the first fruits of all th 
- corn, wine, oil, and fruits, and the first-born of all thei 
cattle, for the Lord’s treasury, to be employed for the 
priests, the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger. 
The first-born, adao, of their children, were the Lord’s, 
and were to be redeemed by a specified sum, paid into 
the sacred treasury. Besides this, they were required 
to bring a freewill offering to God, every time they _ 
went up to the three great yearly festivals. In addition 
to this, regular yearly sacrifices, of cattle and fowls, 
were required of each family, and occasional sacrifices — 
for certain sins or ceremonial impurities. In reaping” 
their fields, they were required to leave unreaped, for 
the poor, the corners; not to glean their fields, olive- 
yards, or vineyards; and, if a sheaf was left, by. mistake, : 
they were not to return for it, but leave it for the poor. 
When a man sent away a servant, he was thus charged: 
“ Furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy | 
floor, and out of thy wine-press.” When a poor man 
came to borrow money, they were forbidden to deny 
him, or to take any interest; and if, at the sabbatical, 
or seventh, year, he could not pay, the: debt.waa to-he : a 
cancelled. And to this command, is added the signifi- 
cant caution, “‘ Beware that there be not a thought in — 
thy wicked heart, saying, the seventh year, the year of — 
release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy 
poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry — @ 
unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. — 
Thou shalt surely give him, ” «because that for this 
thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, 
and ne all that thou puttest thine hand unto.” Besidens - 
. this, the Levites were distributed through the land, with 
the intention that they should be instructers and priests ; 
i every part of the nation. Thus, one twelfth of the — 





ON ECONOMY OF TIME. 183 


people. were, set apart, having no landed property, to be 
priests and teachers ; and the other tribes were required — 
to. support them liberally. 

ealn regard to the time taken from secular pursuits, for 
the support of religion, an equally liberal amount was 
demanded. In the first place, one seventh part of their 
lime was taken for the weekly sabbath, when no kind 
of work was to be done. Then the whole nation were 
required to meet, at the appointed place, three times a 
year, which, including their journeys, and stay there, 
occupied eight weeks, or another seventh part of 
their time. Then the sabbatical year, when no agri- 
cultural labor was to be done, took another seventh 
of their time from their regular pursuits, as they were 
an agricultural people. ‘This was the amount of time 
and property demanded by God, simply to sustain 
religion and morality within the bounds of that nation. 
Christianity demands the spread of its blessings to all 
mankind, and so the restrictions laid on the Jews are. 
withheld, and all our wealth and time, not needful for 
our own best interest, is to be employed in improving 
the condition of our fellow-men. 

In deciding respecting the rectitude of our pursuits, 
we are bound to aim at some practical good, as the 
ultimate object. With every duty of this life, our 
benevolent Creator has connected: some species of 
enjoyment, to draw us to perform it. Thus, the palate 
is gratified, by performing the duty of nourishing our 
bodies; the principle of curiosity is gratified, in pur- 
suing useful knowledge; the desire of approbation is 
eratified; when we perform benevolent and social du 
ties; and every other duty has an alluring enjoyment 
connected with it. But the great mistake of mankind 
has consisted in seeking the pleasures, connected with 
these duties, as the sole aim, without reference to the 
main end that should be held in view, and to which 
the enjoyment should be made subservient. Thus, 
men seek to gratify the palate, without reference to 
the question whether the body is properly nourished ; 

































wea ON ECONOMY | (OF FINE, 


and follow after knowledge, without wie: : 
it ministers to good or evil. ‘ 
But, in gratifying the implanted aneivkt of | 
‘ture, we are bound so to restrain ourselves, Be 
and- conscience, as always to seek the main objects 
existence—the highest good of ourselves and _ others; 
and never to sacrifice this, for the mere gratification of 
our sensual desires. We are to gratify appetite, just : 
so far as is consistent with health and usefulness ; a 
the desire for knowledge, just so far as will enable us_ 
to do most good by our influence and efforts; and no — 
farther. We are to seek social intercoursé; to that 4 
extent, which will best promote domestic enjoyment _ be 
and kindly feelings among neighbors and friends; and 
we are to pursue exercise and amusement, only so far 
as wili best sustain the vigor of bedy and mind. For 4 
the right apportionment of time, to these and various % 
other duties, we are to give an account to our Creator . 
‘and final J udge. aes 
Instead of ‘attempting to give any very specific vile 4 
on this subject, some modes of economizing time will 
be suggested. The most powerful of all agencies, in 
this matter, is, that habit of system and order, in all 
our pursuits, which has been already pointed out. It 
is probable, that a regular and systematic employment — 
of time, will enable a person to accomplish thrice the 
amount of labor, that could otherwise be performed. ~ a 
Another mode of economizing time, is, by umitmg 
several objects in one employment. Thus, Sabie 
or charitable efforts, can be united with social enjoy-_ 
ments, as is done in associations for sewing, or visiting 4 
the poor. Instruction and amusement can also be — 
combined. Pursuits like music, gardening, drawing, — 
botany, and the like, unite intellectual improvement — 
with amusement, sabia enjoyment, and exercise. — 
With housekeepers, and others whose employments 
are various and desultory, much time can be saved by 
preparing employments for little intervals of leisure. — 
Thus, some ladies make ready, and keep in the parlor, — 








ON ECONOMY IN EXPENSES. 185 


light work, to take up when detained there; some 
keep a book at hand, in- the nursery, to Sonal while 
holding or sitting by a sleeping infant. One of the 
‘most popular female poets of our Country very often 
shows her friends, at their calls, that the thread of the 
knitting, never need interfere with the thread of agree- 
able discourse. - 

It would be astonishing, to one who had never tried 
the experiment, how much can be accomplished, by a 
little planning and forethought, in thus finding employ- 
ment for odd intervals of time. 

But, besides economizing our own time, we are 
bound to use our influence and example to promote 
the discharge of the same duty by others. A woman 
is under obligations so to arrange the hours and pur- 
suits of her family, as to promote systematic and habit- 
ual industry ; and if, by late breakfasts, irregular hours 
for meals, and other hinderances of this kind, she in- 
terferes with, or refrains from promoting regular indus- 
try in, others, she is accountable to God for all the 
waste of time consequent on her negligence. The 
mere example of system and industry, in a house- 
keeper, has a wonderful influence in promoting the 
same virtuous habit in others. 





On Economy in Expenses. 


It is impossible for.a woman to practise a wise 
economy in expenditures, unless she is taught how 
to do it, either by a course of experiments, or by the 
instruction of those who have had experience. It is 
amusing to notice the various, and oftentimes contra- 
dictory, notions of economy, among judicious and ex- 
perienced housekeepers ; for there is probably no econ- 
omist, who would not be deemed lavish or wasteful, 
in some respects, by another and equally experienced 
and judicious person, who, in some different points, 
would herself be as much condemned by the other. 
These diversities are occasioned by dissimilar early 
habits, and by the different relative value assigned, by 

16* D. FE. 































186 — ON ECONOMY IN_ EEPEaaae 
each, to the various modes of. enjoyment, 
money is expended. 

But, though there may be much -disagreemer 
minor matters, there are certain general prince 
which all unite in sanctioning. ‘The first, is, that ¢ 
be taken. to know the amount of income and of ¢ 
rent expenses, so that the proper relative proportion — 
be preserved, and the expenditures never exceed the 
means. Few women can do this, thoroughly, without 
keeping regular accounts. The habits of this Nation, _ 
especially among business-men, are so -desultory, and — 
the current expenses of a family, in many points, are 
so much more under the control of the man than of 
the woman, that many women, who are disposed to 
be systematic in this matter,.cannot follow their wishes. ~ 
But there are often cases, ‘when much is left ‘undone 4 
in this particular, simply because no effort is. made. 
Yet every woman is bound to do as much as is in her > 
power, to accomplish a systematic mode of expendi- 
ture, and the regulation of it by Christian principles. _ 

The following are examples of different methods — 
which have been adopted, for securing a proper ad- 
justment of expenses to the means. 

The first, is that of a lady, who kept a large ae 
ing-house, in one of our cities. Every evening, before 
retiring, she took an account of the expenses of the 
day; and this usually occupied her not more than 
fifteen minutes, at a time. On each Saturday, she 
made an inventory of the stores on hand, and of the 
daily expenses, and also of what was due to her; and 
then made an exact estimate of her expenditures and 
profits. This, after the first two or three weeks, never 
took more than an hour, at the close of the week. 
Thus, by a very little time, regularly devoted to this 
object, she knew, accurately, her income, expenditures, 4 
and profits. ; 

Another friend of the writer, lives on a regular sala- 
ry. The method adopted, in this case, is to calculate 
fa what the- salary amounts, each week, Then an — 





ON ECONUMY IN EXPENSES. 187 


account is kept, of what is paid out, each week, for 
feat, fuel, wages, and food. This amount of each 
week is_ deducted from the weekly income. ‘The re- 
mainders of each week are added, at the close of a 
‘month, as the stock from which is to be taken, the 
dress, furniture, books, travelling expenses, charities, 
and. all other expenditures. 

Another lady, whose husband is a lawyer, divides 
the year into four quarters, and the income into four 
equal parts. She then makes her plans, so that the 
expenses of one quarter shall never infringe on the 
income of another. So resolute is she, in carrying 
out this determination, that if, by any mischance, she 
is in want of articles before the close of a quarter, 
which she has not the means for providing, she will 
subject herself to temporary inconvenience, by waiting, 
rather than violate her rule. 

Another lady, whose husband is engaged in a busi- 
ness, which he thinks makes it impossible for him to 
know what his yearly income will be, took this meth- 
od:—She kept an account of all her disbursements, 
for one year. This she submitted to her husband, and 
obtained his consent, that the same sum should be 
under her control, the coming year, for similar pur- 
poses, with the understanding, that she might modify 
future apportionments, in any way her judgement and 
conscience might approve. 

A great deal of uneasiness and discomfort is caused, 
to both husband and wife, in many cases, by an entire 
want of system and ‘forethought, in arranging expenses. 
Both keep buying what they think they need, without 
any calculation as to how matters are coming out, and 
with a sort of dread of running in debt, all the time 
harassing them. Such never. know the comfort of 
independence. But, if a man or woman will only 
calculate what their income is, and then plan so as to 
know that they are all the time living within it, they 
secure one of the greatest comforts, which wealth ever 
bestows, and what many of the rich, who live in a 






































188 ON ECONOMY IN EXPENS 
loose and careless way, never enjoy. It is 
much the amount of i income, as the reg gular and corre 
‘apportionment of expenses, ‘that’ makes "a: family -tru 
comfortable. A man, with ten thousand a y 
often more harassed, for want of money, than tt 
tematic economist, who supports a family on only st 
hundred a year. And the inspired command, “ Ow 
no man sil thing,” can never be petted oe ob- 
means. . , eg 5 

As it is very important that young 1a should learn . 
‘systematic economy, in expenses, it will be a great — 
benefit, for every young girl to begin, at twelve or thir- 
teen years’ of age, to make her own purchases, and 
keep her accounts, under the guidance of her mother, — 
or some other friend. And if parents would ascertain 
the actual expense of a daughter’s clothing, for a year, 
and give the sum to her, in quarterly payments, re- 
quiring a regular account, it would be of great benefit 
in preparing “her for future duties. How else are young — 
ladies to learn to make purchases properly, and to be) — 
systematic and economical? The art of system and 
economy can no more come. by intuition, than the art — 
of watchmaking or bookkeeping; and how strange it — 
appears, that so many young ladies take charge of a — 
husband’s establishment, without having had either in- 
struction or experience in one of the most paige x 
duties of their station! abide 

The second general principle of economy, is, that, mn a 
apportioning an income, among various objects, he _ 
most important should receive the largest supply, and 
that all retrenchments be made in matters of less im- — 
portance. In a-previous chapter, some general princi- 
ples have been presented, to guide in this duty. Some — 
additional hints will here be added, on the same topic. 

In regard to dress and furniture, much want of 
judgement and good taste is often seen, in purchasing — 
some expensive article, which is not at all in keeping 
with the other articles connected with it. Thus, 








7 


"Ce ON ECONOMY IN EXPENSES. 189 





arge ‘sideboard, or elegant mirror, or sofa, which would 
be suitable only for a large establishment, with other 
rich furniture, is crowded Finds too small a room, with 
eoarse and cheap articles around it. So, also, some- 
times a parlor, and company-chamber, will be furnished 
in a style suitable only for the wealthy, while the table 
will be supplied with shabby linen, and imperfect 
crockery, and every other part of the house will look, 
im comparison with these fine rooms, mean and nig- 
gardly. It is not at all uncommon, to find very showy 
and expensive articles in the part of the house visible to 
strangers, when the children’s rooms, kitchen, and other 
back portions, are on an entirely different scale. 

So in regard to dress, a lady will sometimes purchase 
an elegant and expensive article, which, instead of at- 
tracting admiration from the eye of taste, will merely 
serve as a decoy to the painful contrast of all other 
parts of the dress. A woman of real good taste and 
discretion, will strive to maintain a relative consistency 
between all departments, and not, in one quarter, live 
on a scale fitted only to the rich, and in another, on 
one appropriate only to the poor. - 

' Another mistake in economy, is often made, by some 
of the best-educated and most intelligent of mothers. 
Such will often be found spending day after day at 
needlework, when, with a comparatively small sum, 
this labor could be obtained of those who need the 
money, which such work would procure. for them. 
Meantime, the daughters of the family, whom the 
mother is qualified to educate, or so nearly qualified, 
that she could readily keep ahead of her children, are 
sent to expensive boarding-schools, where their delicate 
frames, their pliant minds, and their moral and re- 
ligious interests, are relinquished to the hands of 
strangers. And the expense, thus incurred, would 
serve to pay the hire of every thing the mother can d) 
in sewing, four or five times over. ‘he same want of 
economy is shown in communities, where, instead of 
establishing a good female school in their vicinity, the 





/ 


t 















His expense, to be either educated or apo | 
case imaybe.* 268s HAE 

_ Another species of poor economy, is manifest 
neglecting to acquire and apply mechanical skill, whi 
in consequence, has to be hired from others. ‘Thus, 
all the plain sewing will be done by the mother a 
daughters, while all that requires skill will be hire 
Instead of this, others take pains tohave their daugh 
ters instructed in mantuamaking, and the simpler ene 7 
of millmery, so that the plain work is given to the poor, % 
who need it, and the more expensive and — “—s 
operations are performed in the family. The writer — 
knows ladies, who not orly make their own dresses a 
but also their caps, bonnets, and artificial flowers. == 

Some persons make miscalculations in economy, by 
habitually looking up cheap articles, while others go tc 
the opposite extreme, and always buy the best of every 
thing. Those ladies, who are considered the best - 
economists, do not adopt either method. In regard te | 
cheap soods, the fading colors, the damages discovered — 
in use, the poorness of material, and the extra sewing — 
demanded to replace articles lost by such causes, 
usually render them very dear, in the end. On the 
other hand, though some articles, of the most ex- 
pensive kind, wear longest and best, yet, asa general © 
rule, articles at medium prices do the> best service. — 
This is true of table and bed linens, broadcloths, shirt- 


_ings, and the like; though, even im these cases, itis 


often found, that the coarsest and cheapest last the q | 
longest. - oe 

Buying by wholesale, and keeping a large supply on 
hand, are economical only i in large families, where the 
ees is careful; but in other cases, the hazards of 
accident, and the temptation toa lavish use, will make ; 
the loss outrun the profits. "ae 

There is one mode of economizing, which, it is ee 
will every year grow more rare; and that is, wane 


penurious savings, by getting the poor to work as cheap 





ON ECONOMY IN EXPENSES. 191 

; possible. Many amiable and benevolent women 
Tere: done this, on principle, without reflecting on the 
want of Christian charity thus displayed. Let every 
woman, in making bargains with the poor, conceive 
herself placed in the same circumstances, toiling hour 
after hour, and day after day, for a small sum, and 
then deal with others as she would be dealt by in such 
asituation. Liberal prices, and prompt payment, should 
be an invariable maxim, in dealing with the poor. 

The third general principle of economy, is, that all 
articles should be so used, and taken care of, as to 
secure the longest service, with the least waste. Under 
this head, come many particulars in regard to the use 
and preservation of articles, which will be found more 
in detail in succeeding chapters. It may be proper, 
however, here to refer to one very common impression, 
as to the relative obligation of the poor and the rich in 
regard to economy. Many seem to suppose, that those 
who are wealthy, have a right to be lavish and negli- 
- gent in the care of expenses. But this surely is a great 
mistake. Property is a talent, given by God, to spend 
for the welfare of mankind ; and the needless waste of 
it, is as wrong in the rich, as it is in the poor. The 
rich are under obligations to apportion their income, to 
the various objects demanding attention, by the same 
rule as all others; and if this will allow them to spend 
more for superfluities than those of smaller means, it 
never makes it right to misuse or waste any of the 
bounties of Providence. « Whatever is no longer wanted 
for their own enjoyment, should be carefully saved, to 
add to the enjoyment of others. 

It is not always that men understand the economy 
of Providence, in that unequal distribution of property, 
which, even under the most perfect form of govern- 
ment, will always exist. Many, looking at the present 
state of things, imagine that the rich, if they acted in 
strict conformity to the law of benevolence, would share 
ali their property with their suffering fellow-men. But 
such do not take into account, the inspired declaration 











~~ and travel, to secure expansion. of cad and just views 









Bg ee re 


life is made valuable, not by aa possessions, Da by 
such a character as prepares a man to enjoy what he 
holds. God perceives that human character can bei 2 a 
most improved, by that kind of discipline, which exists, gs 
when there is something valuable to be gained by in- _ 
dustrious efforts. This stimulus to industry could 
never exist, in a community where all are just alike, 
as it does in a state of society where every man sees, — 
possessed by others, enjoyments, which he desires, and — 
may secure by effort and industry. So, in a community 
where all are alike as to property, there would be no 
chance to gain that noblest of all attainments, a habit 
of self-denying benevolence, which toils for the good 
of others, and takes from one’s own store, to increase 
the enjoyments of another. 4 
Instead, then, of the stagnation, both of. daca a 
and of benevolence, which would follow the universal 
and equable distribution of property, one class of men, 
by superior advantages of birth, or intellect, or patron- 
age, come into possession of a great amount of capital. 
With these means, they are enabled, by study, reading, 


of the relative advantages of moral, intellectual, and 
physical enjoyments. At the same time, ‘Christianity 
imposes obligations, corresponding with the increase 
of advantazes and means. ‘The rich are not at liberty 
to spend their treasures for themselves, alone. Their 
wealth is given, by God, to be employed for the best 
good of mankind; and their intellectual advantages — 
are designed, primarily, to enable them to judge cor- 
rectly, in employing their means most wisely for the — 
general good. | a 

Now, suppose a man of wealth inhemie ten daca a 
sand acres of real estate: it is not his duty to divide 
it among his poor neighbors and tenants. If he took — 
this course, it is probable, that most of them would a 
spend all in thriftless waste and indolence, or m mere 





ON ECONOMY IN EXPENSES. 193. 


physical enjoyments. Instead, then, of thus putting 
his capital out of his hands, he is bound to retain, and 
so to employ, it, as to raise his neighbors and tenants 
_ to such a state of virtue and intelligence, that they can 
secure far more, by their own efforts and industry, than 
he, by dividing his capital, could bestow upon them. 
In this view of the subject, it is manifest, that the 
unequal distribution of property is no evil. The great 
difficulty is, that so large a portion of those who hold 
much capital, instead of using their various advantages 
for the greatest good of those around them, employ 
the chief of them for mere selfish indulgences; thus 
inflicting as much mischief on themselves, as results to 
others from their culpable neglect. A great portion 
of the rich seem to be acting on the principle, that the 
more God bestows on them, the less are they under 
obligation to practise any self-denial, in fulfilling his 
benevolent plan of raising our race to intelligence and 
holiness. ) 
There are not a few, who seem to imagine that it is 
a mark of gentility to be careless of expenses. But 
this notion, is owing to a want of knowledge of the 
world. As a general fact, it will be found, that persons 
of rank and wealth, abroad, are much more likely to 
be systematic and economical, than persons of inferior 
standing in these respects. Even the most frivolous, 
among the rich and great, are often found practising 
a rigid economy, in certain respects, in order to secure _ 
gratifications in another direction. And it will be 
found so common, among persons of vulgar minds, 
and little education, and less sense, to make a display 
of profusion and indifference to expense, as a mark 
of their claims to gentility, that the really genteel look 
upon it rather as a mark of low breeding. So that 
the sort of feeling, which some persons cherish, as if 
it were a degradation to be careful of small sums, and 
to be attentive to relative prices, in making purchases, 
is founded on mistaken notions of gentility and pro- 
priety. 
17 D. E 































ea ey Wilton: a veld a wnealihes is seel 
about in search of cheaper articles, or trying t 
- down a shopkeeper, or making a. close: bargain. 
those she employs, the impropriety is glaring to Be 
minds. A person of wealth has no occasion to spend 
time in looking for extra cheap articles; her tim 
‘could be more profitably-employed in distributing to 
the wants of others. And the practice of os 
down tradespeople, is vulgar and degrading, m any 
one. A woman, after a little inquiry, can ascertain © 
what is the fair and common price of things; and — 
if she is charged an exorbitant sum, she can- decline ; 
taking the article. If the price be a fair one, it is 
not becoming in her to search for another article which — 
is below the regular charge. If a woman finds that 
she is in-a store ‘where they charge high prices, expect-_ 
ing to be beat down, she can mention, that she wishes a 
to know the lowest. price, as it is Sone to hess seine - 
ciples to beat down charges. re 
There is one inconsistency, worthy of notice, which: 
is found among that class, who are ambitious of. being 
ranked among the aristocracy of society. It has been 
remarked, that, in the real aristocracy of other lands, — 
it is much more common, than with. us, to: ‘practise q 
systematic economy. And such do not hesitate to say — 
so, when they cannot afford certain indulgénees, This — 
practice descends to subordinate grades; so that for 4 
eign ladies, when they come to reside among us, sel- 
dom hesitate in assigning the true reason, when they 
cannot afford any gratification. But in this Country, 
it will be found, that many, who are most fond of — 
copying aristocratic examples, are, on this point, rather. a 
with the vulgar. Nota few of those young persons 
who begin life with parlors and dresses in a style fitting 
only to established wealth, go into expenses, which 
they can ill afford; and are ashamed even to allow, — 
that they are restrained from any expense, by motive 
of economy. Such a confession is never oxen 


a . 
iS 





ON HEALTH OF MIND. ee 


except by some call of EE ae and then, they 
are very ready to declare that they cannot afford to 
bestow even a pittance. In such cases, it would seem 
as if the direct opposite of Christianity had gained pos- 
session of their tastes and opinions. ‘They are ashamed 

to appear to deny themselves ; but are very far from. 
having any shame in denying the calls of benevolence 


CHAPTER XVI. 


ON HEALTH OF MIND. 


TueEre is such an intimate connection between the 
body and mind, that the health of one, cannot be pre- 
served; without a proper care of the other. And it is 
from a neglect of this principle, that some of the most 
exemplary and conscientious persons in the world, 
suffer a thousand mental agonies, from a diseased state 
of body, while others ruin the health of the body, by 
neglecting the proper care of the mind. When the 
brain is excited, by stimulating drinks taken. into the, 
stomach, it produces a corresponding excitement. of the 
mental faculties. The reason, the imagination, and al. 
the powers, are stimulated to preternatural vigor and 
activity. In like manner, when the mind is excited by 
earnest intellectual effort, or by strong passions, the 
brain is equally excited, and. the blood rushes to the 
head. Sir Astley Cooper records, that, in examining 
the brain of a young man who had lost a portion of his 
skull, whenever ‘‘he was agitated, by some opposition 
to his wishes,” “the blood was sent, with increased 
force, to his brain,” and the pulsations ‘‘became fre- 
quent and violent.” The same effect was produced by 
any intellectual effort; and the flushed countenance, 
which attends earnest study or strong emotions of fear, 
shame, or anger, is an external Sadat of the suflused 
state of the brain from such causes. 








ON HEALTH OF. MIND. 






























In exhibiting the causes, which injure” shes 
thas mind, they will be found to be partl 
partly intellectual, and partly mora 
The first cause of mental disease and suffer 
not unfrequently found in the want of a proper su 
of duly oxygenized blood. It has been shown, that t 
blood, m passing through the lungs, is purified, by t 
oxygen of the air combining with the superabundant — 
hydrogen and carbon of the venous blood, thus forming — 
carbonic acid and water, which are expired into the © 
‘atmosphere. Every pair of lungs is constantly with- — 
drawing from the surrounding atmosphere its healthful — 
% principle, and returning one, which is liseli to ne ‘s 
man life. 3 

When, by confinement, and this process, the atmos- 
phere is deprived of its appropriate supply of oxygen, — 
the purification of the blood is interrupted, and it passes, 
without being properly prepared, into the brain, pro- 
ducing languor, restlessness, and inability .to exercise 
the intellect and feelings. Whenever, therefore, per-— 
sons sleep in a close apartment, or remain, for a length 
of time, in a crowded or ill-ventilated room, a most per- 
nicious influence is exerted on the brain, and, through _ 
this, on the mind. A person, who is often exposed. to a 
such influences, can never enjoy that elasticity and 
vigor of mind, which i is one of the chief indications of 
its health. ‘This is the reason, why all. rooms for re- 
ligious meetings, and. all schoolrooms, and sleeping 
apartments, should be so contrived, as to secure a con- 
stant supply of fresh air from without. The minister, 
who preaches in a. crowded and ill-ventilated apart 
ment, loses much of his power to feel and to speak, 
while the audience are equally reduced, in their capa- * 
bility of attending. The teacher, who confines children 
in a close apartment, diminishes their ability to study, 
or to attend to his instructions. And the person, who 
habitually sleeps in a close room, impairs his nena 
energies, in a similar degree. It is not unfrequently — 
the case, that depression of spirits, and stupor of intel- — 
lect, are occasioned solely by inattention to this subject — 


7 ~ 





ON HEALTH OF MIND. 197 


| Another: cause of mental] disease, is, the excessive 
reise of the intellect or feelings. If the eye Is taxed, 
~~ beyond its strength, by protracted use, its blood-vessels 
~ become gorged, and the bloodshot appearance warns 
_ of the excess and the need of’ rest. The brain is 
affected, in a similar manner, by excessive use, though 
the - suffering and inflamed’ organ cannot make its 
‘appeal to the eye. But there are some indications, 
_which ought never to be misunderstood or disregarded 
In cases of pupils, at school or at college, a diseased 
state, from over action, is often manifested by increased 
clearness of mind, and ease and vigor of mental action 
In one instance, known to the writer, a most exemplary 
and industrious pupil, anxious to improve every hour, 
and ignorant or unmindful of the laws of health, first 
manifested the diseased state of her brain and mind, by 
demands for more studies, and a sudden and earnest 
activity in planning modes of improvement for herself 
and others. When warned of her danger, she pro- 
tested that she never was better, in her life; that she 
took regular exercise, in the open air, went to bed in 
season, slept soundly, and felt perfectly well; that her 
mind was never before so bright and clear, and study 
never so easy and delightful. And at this time, she 
was on the verge of derangement, from which she was 
saved only by an entire cessation of all her intellectual 
efforts. 

A similar case occurred, under the eye of the writer, 
from over-excited feelings. It was during a time of 
unusual religious interest in the community, and the 
mental disease was first manifested, by the pupil bring- 
ing her Hymn-book or Bible to the class-room, and 
making it her constant resort, in every interval of 
school duty. It finally became impossible to convince 
her, that it was her duty to attend to any thing else; 
her conscience became morbidly sensitive, her per- 
ceptions indistinct, her deductions unreasonable, and 
nothing, but entire change of scene, exercise, and 
amusement, saved her. When the health of the brain 

le Dow 














Roe 3 : 5 ; fe han fi Se 
198° . ON HEALTH OF ‘MIND 



































was restored, she found that she would a 
“one ‘thing needful, ” not only without | int 


Bt - Clergymen and feachSts néed most car 
notice and guard against the danger here alluded 
_Any such attention to religion, as prevents — the 
formance of daily duties and needful relaxation, is — 
dangerous, as tending to produce such a state of ‘the: 4 
brain, as makes it impossible to feel or judge correctly. 3 
And when any morbid and unreasonable pertmacity — 
‘appears, much exercise, and engagement-in other in- _ 
teresting pursuits, should be urged, as the only mode. 
of securing the religious benefits aimed at. ~ And 
whenever any mind is oppressed with care, anxiety, 
or sorrow, the amount of active exercise in ‘the fresh q 
air should be greatly increased, that the action of the 
muscles may withdraw the blood, which, in such sea- | 4 
sons, is constantly tending too much to the brain. ity al 4 
There has been a most appalling amount of susnrREe | 
derangement, disease, and death, occasioned by a want — 
of attention to this subject, in teachers and aac 
Uncommon precocity in children isusually the result of — 
an unhealthy state of the brain; and, in such cases, 
* medical men would now direct, that the wonderful child 
should be deprived of all books and study, and turned — 
to play or work in the fresh air. Instead of this, parents — . 
frequently add fuel to the fever of the brain, by er ah . 
constant mental stimulus, until the victim finds refuge in 
idiocy or an early grave. Where such fatal results do 
not occur, the brain, in many cases, is so weakened, that 
the prodigy of infancy sinks below the medium of intel P “_ 
lectual powers in afterlife. In our colleges, too, na 
of the most promising minds sink to an early grave, or 
drag out a miserable existence, from this same cause. — 4 
And it is an evil, as yet little alleviated by the increase” 
of physiological knowledge. Every college and pro- q 
fessional school, and every seminary for young ladies, 
needs a medical man, not only to lecture on physiology 
and the laws of health, but empowered, in his official 









tas investigate the case of every pupil, and, 


authority, to restrain him to such a course of study, 
exercise, and repose, as his physical system requires. 
_ The writer has found, by experience, that, in a large 
" jnstitution, there is one class of pupils who need to be 
restrained, by penalties, from late hours and excessive 
study, as much as another class need stimulus to in- 
dustry. 

Under the head of excessive mental action, must 
be placed the indulgence of the imagination in novel 
reading and castle building. This kind of stimulus, 
unless counterbalanced by physical exercise, not only 
wastes time and energies, but undermines the vigor of 
the nervous system. The imagination was designed, 
by our kind Creator, as the charm and stimulus to 
animate to benevolent activity ; and its perverted exer- 
cise seldom fails to bring the appropriate penalty. 

A third cause of mental disease, is, the want of 
the appropriate exercise of the various faculties of the 
mind. On this point, Dr. Combe remarks, ‘“‘ We have 
seen, that, by disuse, muscle becomes emaciated, bone 
softens, blood-vessels are obliterated, and. nerves lose 
their characteristic structure. The brain is no excep- 
tion to this general rule. Of it, also, the tone is im- 
paired by permanent inactivity, and it becomes less 
fit to manifest the mental powers with readiness and 
energy.’ It is “the withdrawal of the stimulus neces- 
sary. for its healthy exercise, which renders solitary con- 
finement so severe a punishment, even to the most 
daring minds. It is a lower degree of the same cause, 
which renders continuous seclusion from society so 
ipjuricus, to beth mental and bodily health.” 

“ Inactivity of intellect and of feeling is a very fre- 
quent predisposing cause of every form of nervous 
disease. For demonstrative evidence of this position, 
we have only to look at the numerous victims to be 
found, among persons who have no call to exertion in 
gaining the means of subsistence, and no objects of 
interest on which to exercise their mental faculties. 


ON HEALTH OF MIND. £~* 199 


i 








200 «ON HEALTH OF MIND. 





and nervous peskac If we pM abn 
society, we shall find innumerable examples of me 
and nervous debility from this cause. Whena person 7 
of some mental capacity is confined, for a long time, 
to an unvarying round of employment, which ‘affords ie 
neither scope nor stimulus for one half of his faculties 
and, from want of education or society, has no exter- 
nal resources ; his mental powers, for want of exercise, 
become blunted, and his perceptions slow and dull.” 
“The intellect and feelings, not being provided with ‘7 
interests external to themselves, must either become 
inactive and weak, or work upon themselves and Des 
come diseased.”’ 
“The most frequent victims of this. kind of ‘precliss 
position, are females of the middle and higher ranks, — 
especially those of a nervous constitution and good 
natural abilities ; but who, from an ill-directed educa- ~ 
tion, possess nothing more solid than mere accomplish- 
ments, and have no materials of thought,” and no 
“occupation to excite interest or demand attention.” 
‘The liability of such persons to melancholy, hysteria, 
hypochondriasis, and other varieties of mental distress, 
really depends on a state of irritability of magia in- 
duced by imperfect exercise.’ ee 
These remarks, of a LEA man, illustrate the prin-_ 
ciples before indicated ;—namely, that the demand of = 
Christianity, that we live to promote the general happi- 
ness, and not merely for selfish indulgence, has for its 
aim, not only the general good, but the highest happi- | 
ness, of the individual of whom it is required. } 
A person possessed of wealth, who has nothing more. = 
noble to engage his attention, than seeking his own 
personal enjoyment, subjects his mental powers and 
moral feelings to a degree of inactivity, utterly at war 
with health of mind. And the greater the capacities, 
the greater are the sufferings which result from this 
cause. Any one, who has read the misanthropic wail- 
ings of Lord Byron, has seen the necessary result of — 


x 





ON HEALTH OF MIND. | 20) 





reat and noble powers bereft of their appropriate 
| exercise, and, in consequence, becoming sources of the 
keenest suffering. | 

It is this view of the subject, which has often 
awakened feelings of sorrow and anxiety in the mind 
of the writer, while aiding in the developement and 
education of superior female minds, in the wealthier 
circles. Not because there are not noble objects for 
interest and effort, abundant, and within reach of such 
minds; but because long-established custom has~made 
it seem so Quixotic, to the majority, even of the pro- 
fessed followers of Christ, for a woman of wealth to 
practise any great self-denial, that few have indepen- 
dence of mind and Christian principle sufficient to 
overcome such an influence. ‘The more a mind has 
its powers developed,-the more does it aspire and pine 
after some object worthy of its energies and affections ; 
and they are commonplace and phlegmatic characters, 
who are most free from such deep-seated wauts. Many 
a young woman, of fine genius and elevated sentiment, 
finds a charm in Lord Byron’s writings, because they 
present a glowing picture of what, to a certain extent, 
must be felt by every well-developed mind, which has 
no nobler object in life, than the pursuit of its own 
gratification. 

If young ladies of wealth could pursue their educa- 
tion, under the full conviction that the increase of their 
powers and advantages increased their obligations to 
use all for the good of society, and with some plan of 
benevolent enterprise in view, what new motives of 
interest would be added to their daily pursuits! And 
what blessed results would follow, to our beloved Coun- 
try, if all well-educated females carried out the prin- 
ciples of Christianity, in the exercise of their developed 
powers | 

It is cheering to know, that there are women, among 
the most intelligent and wealthy, who can be presented 
as examples of what may be done, when there is a 
heart todo. A pupil of the writer is among this num- 




























the best sdasation: to-all in that nisi ak a mo le 
charge. Finding no teacher on the ground, prepared _ 
to take the lead, and though herself a timid and retir- “= 
ing character, she began, with the aid of the governess : 
‘in her mother’s family, a daily school, superintending 
all, and teaching six hours a day. The liberal-minded — 
and intelligent mother cooperated, and the result is a 
flourishing female seminary, with a large and beautiful — 
and well-furnished building; the greater part of the 
_ means being supplied by the mother, and almost all 
by the members of that family connection. And both _ 
these ladies will testify, that no time or money, spent — 
for any other object, has ever secured to them more_ 
real and abiding enjoyment, than witnessing the results 
of this successful and benevolent entérprise, which, for 
years to come, will pour forth blessings on society. 
Another lady could be pointed out, who, possessing 2 q 
some property, went into a new western village, built 
and furnished her schoolhouse, and established herself. 
there, to aid in raising a community from ignorance g 
and gross worldliness, to intelligence and virtue. And — 
in repeated instances, among the friends and pupils es ga 
the writer, young ladies have’ left wealthy homes, and — 
affectionate friends, to find nobler enjoyments, in el 
nevolent and active .exertions to extend intelligence _ 
and virtue, where such disinterested laborers were — 
needed. In other cases, where it was not practicable " 
to leave home, well-educated young ladies have inter- 
ested themselves in common schools in the vicinity, 
aiding the teachers, by their sympathy, counsel, ana) xg 
"personal: assistance. E 
Other ladies, of property and standing, having Ose 
ilies to educate,. and being well qualified for such du: 
ties, have relinquished a large portion of domestic labs 1 


),. 


“ 















| ON HEALTH OF MIND. _ 203, 


1 superintendence, which humbler minds could be 
hired to perform, devoted themselves to the education 
_ of their children, and received others, less fortunate, 
to share with their own these superior advantages. 
But, so long as the feeling widely exists, that the in- 
crease of God’s bounties diminishes the obligations of 
self-denying service for the good of mankind, so long 
will well-educated women, in easy circumstances, shrink 
from such confinement and exertion. 

It is believed, however, that there are many benevo- 
lent and intelligent women, in this Country, who would 
gladly engage in such enterprises, were there any ap- 
propriate way within their reach. And it is a question, 
well deserving consideration, among those who guide 
the public mind in benevolent enterprises, whether some 

organization is not demanded, which shall bring the 
whole community to act systematically, in voluntary 
associations, to extend a proper education to every child 
in this Nation, and to bring into activity all the female 
enterprise and. benevolence now lying dormant, for 
want of proper facilities to exercise them. There are 
hundreds of villages, which need teachers, and that 
would support them, if they were on the spot, but 
which never will send for them. And there are hun- 
dreds of females, now unemployed, who would teach, 
if a proper place, and home, and support, and escort, 
were provided for them. And there needs to be some 
enlarged and systematic plan, conducted by wise and 
efficient men, to secure these objects. 7 
— Could such a plan, as the one suggested, be carried 
out, it is believed that many female minds, now suffer- 
ig, from diseases occasioned by want of appropriate 
objects for their energies, would be relieved. The 
duties of a teacher exercise every intellectual faculty, to 
its full extent; while, in this benevolent service, all the 
social, moral, and benevolent, emotions, are kept in full 
play. The happiest persons the writer has ever known, 
—those who could say that they were as happy as they 
wished to be, in this world, (and she has seen such, )— 
were persons engaged in this employment. 













tent, a Proxiless ve for excitement, a caylee 
unattainable good, a diseased and morbid action of the | 
imagination, dissatisfaction with the world, and factitio 
interest in trifles which the mind feels to. be unworthy — 
of its powers. Such minds sometimes seek alleviation 
in exciting amusements; others resort to the grosser 
enjoyments of sense. Oppressed with the extremes of — 
languor, or over-excitement, or apathy, the body fails. 3 
under the wearing process, and adds new causes of suf 
fering to the mind. Such, the compassionate Saviour 4 
calls to his service, in these appropriate terms: “‘Come 
unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I 
will give you rest. ‘Take My yoke upon you, and learn _ 
of Me,” “and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” 


+: 


~ 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. 


THERE is no point, where the women of this Coun 
try need more wisdom, patience, principle, and self- 
control, than in relation to those whom they employ in 
domestic service. The subject is attended with many 
difficulties, which powerfully influence the happiness 
of families; and the following suggestions are offered, — 
to aid in securing right opinions and practice. 

One consideration, which it would be well to bear in’ 
mind, on this subject, is, that a large portion of the 
peculiar trials, which American women suffer from this 
source, are the necessary evils connected with our most 
valuable civil blessings. Every blessing of this life ine i 
volves some attendant liability to evil, from the same 
source ; and, in this case, while we rejoice at a state of 
society, which so much raises the condition and advan _ 
tages of our sex, the evils involved should be regardeo 


ae 





- 


ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. 205 


as more than repaid, by the compensating benefits. If 
we cannot secure the cringing, submissive, well-trained, 
servants of aristocratic lands, let us be consoled that 
we thus escape from the untold miseries and oppression, 
which always attend that state of society. 

_ Instead, then, of complaining that we cannot have 
our own peculiar advantages, and those of other nations, 
too, or imagining how much better off we should be, if 
things were different from what they are, it is much 
wiser and more Christianlike to strive cheerfully to con- 
form to actual circumstances ; and, after remedying all 
that we can control, patiently to submit to what is 
beyond our power. If domestics are found to be in- 
competent, unstable, and unconformed to their station, 
it is Perfect Wisdom which appoints these trials, to 
teach us patience, fortitude, and self-control; and, if 
the discipline is met, in a proper spirit, it will prove a 
blessing, rather than an evil. 

But, to judge correctly in regard to some of the evils 
involved in the state of domestic service, in this Coun- 
try, we should endeavor to conceive ourselves placed 
in the situation of those, of whom complaint is made, 
that we may not expect, from them, any more than it 
would seem right should be exacted from us, in similar 
circumstances. 

It is sometimes urged, against domestics, that they 
exact exorbitant wages. But what is the rule of rec- 
titude; on this subject? Is it not the universal law of 
labor and of trade, that an article is to be valued, ac- 
cording to its scarcity and the demand? When wheat 
is scarce, the farmer raises his price; and when a me- 
chanic offers services, difficult to be obtained, he makes 
a corresponding increase of price. And why is it not 
right, for domestics to act according to a rule, allowed 
to be correct in reference to all other trades and profes- 
sions? It is a fact, that really good domestic service 
must continue to increase in value, just in proportion as 
this Country waxes rich and prosperous; thus making 
the proportion of those, who wish to hire labor, rela 

18 D. EB. 





























206 


tively greater, and the sim aci oa those; 1 
to service, less. RA 
~ Money enables the rich to. gainy many a 
which those of more limited circumstances ¢ 
eure. One of these, is, securing good domestics 
offermg high wages; and this, as the scarcity. of 1 
_class increases, will_serve constantly to raise the pric 
of service. It is right for domestics to charge the — 
market value, and this value is always decided by. the 
scarcity of the article and the amount of demand. 
Right views of this subject, will sometimes serve to % 
diminish hard feelings towards those, who would oth-_ a 
erwise be wrongfully regarded as unreasonable. and : 
exacting. hes a 
Another complaint against domestics, is, that! ae ins 8 
stability and discontent, leading to perpetual change. e 
But in reference to this, let a mother or daughter con- 
ceive of their own circumstances as so changed, that 
the daughter must go out to service. Suppose a place 
is engaged, and it is then found that she must sleepin ~~ 
a comfortless garret; and that, when a new domestic 
comes, perhaps a coarse and dirty foreigner, she must 
share her bed with her. Another place is offered, 
where she can have a comfortable room, and an agree- — 
able room-mate ; in such a case, would not both mother * 
and daughter think it right to change? 7 4 
Or, suppose, on trial, it was found that the lady er" . 
A house was fretful, or exacting, and hard to please ; : i 
', that her children were so ungoverned, as to be per- — 
aed vexations ; or, that the work was so heavy, that 
no time was allowed for relaxation and the care of a_ 
wardrobe ;—and another place offers, where these. evils 4 
can be escaped: would not mother and daughter here ~ 
think it right to change? And is it not right for do- — 
mestics, as well as their employers, to seek: places, — 
where they can be most comfortable? a 
~In some cases, this instability and love of change 
would be rimedioc: if employers would take more ‘pains — 
to make a residence with them agreeable; and to attach 


a 


# 


~ 





ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. 207 


ae to re family, by feelings of aoliinde and 
_ affection. — ‘There are ladies, even where well-qualified 
domestics are most rare, who seldom find any trouble 
in keeping good and steady ones. And the reason is, 
that their domestics know they cannot better their con- - 
dition, by any change’ within reach. It is not merely 
by giving them comfortable rooms,.and good food, and 
presents, and privileges, that the attachment of domes- 
tics is secured ; it is by the manifestation of a friendly 
and benevolent interest in their comfort and improve- 
ment. This is exhibited, in bearing patiently with their 
faults; in kindly teaching them how to improve; in 
showing them how to make and take proper care of 
their clothes; in guarding their health; in teaching 
‘them to read, if necessary, and supplying them with 
proper books; and, in short, by endeavoring, so far as 
may be, to supply the place of parents. It is seldom 
that such a course would fail to secure steady service, 
and such affection and gratitude, that even higher 
wages would be ineffectual to tempt them away. 
_There would probably be some cases of ungrateful re- 
turns; but there is no doubt that the course indicated, 
if generally pursued, would very much lessen the evil 
in question. 

Another subject of complaint, in regard to domestics, 
is, their pride, insubordination, and spirit not con- 
formed to their condition. They are not willing to be 
called servants; in some places, they claim a seat, at 
meals, with the family; they imitate a style of dress 
‘unbecoming their condition; and their manners and 
~ address are rude and disrespectful. ‘That these evils 
are very common, among this class of persons, cannot 
he denied; the only question is, how can they best be 
met and remedied. 

In regard to the common feeling among domestics, 
which is pained and offended by being called “‘ser- 
vants,”’ there is need of some consideration and allow- 
ance. It should be remembered, that, in this Country, 
children, from their earliest years, are trained to abhor. 



























ON THE CARE OF DOMESTI ‘So 


slavery, in 1 reference to themselves, as ; the 
all possible shame and degradation. 
 petually hearing orations, songs, and ecuipent | 
all sorts, which set forth the honor and dignity of 
men, and heap scorn and contempt on all who wo 
be so mean as to be slaves. Now the term servant, 
and the duties it involves, are, in the minds of many 
persons, nearly the same as those of slave. And there | 
are few minds, entirely free from associations which a 
make servitude a degradation. It is not always: pride, 
then, which makes this term so offensive. It is a con- 4 
sequence of that noble and generous spirit of freedom, — 
which every American draws from his mother’s breast, 
and which ought to be respected, rather than despised. | 
In order to be respected, by others, we must respect 
ourselves; and sometimes the ruder classes of society 
make claims, deemed forward and offensive, when, with 
their views, such a position seems indispensable to eer 
serve a proper self-respect. 4) 
Where an excessive sensibility on this siibibet’ exists, 
and forward and disrespectful manners result from’ ite 
the best remedy is, a kind attempt to give correct views, 
such as better-educated minds are best able to attain. 
It should be shown to them, that, in this Country, labor 
has ceased to be degrading, j in any class; that, in all 
classes, different grades of subordination must exist; 
and that it is no more degrading, for a domestic to re- 
gard the heads of a family as superiors in station, and 
treat them with becoming respect, than it 1s for chil- 
dren to do the same, or for men to treat their rulers 
with respect and deference. They should be taught, 
that domestics use a different entrance to the house, 
and sit at a distinct table, not because they are inferior’ 
beings, but because this is the best method of securing 
neatness, order, and convenience. ‘They can be shown, al | 
if it is attempted in a proper spirit and manner, that . | 
these very regulations really tend to their own ease and 
comfort, as well as to that of the family. + ta 


- The writer has known a case, where the lady of the 
ei 


ay eee 
paca eles f 


a 
ee" 


’ 

MS 

- ae 
™ 








ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICS. 209 


3 eleily,; for the sake of convincing Hen Anite of the 
truth of these views, allowed her to follow her own 
notions, for a short time, and join the family at meals. 
It was merely required, as a condition, that she should 
always dress her hair as the other ladies did, and 
appear in a clean dress, and abide by all the rules of 
propriety at table, which the rest were required to prac- 
tise, and which were duly detailed. ‘The experiment 
was tried, two or three times; and, although the domes- 
tic was treated with studious politeness and kindness, 
she soon felt that she should be much more comforta- 
ble in the kitchen, where she could talk, eat, and dress, 
as she pleased. A reasonable domestic can also be 
made to feel the propriety of allowing opportunity for 
the family to talk freely of their private affairs, when 
they meet at meals, as they never could do, if restrained 
by the constant presence of a stranger. Such views, 
presented in a kind and considerate manner, will often 
entirely change the views of a domestic, who is sensi- 
tive on such subjects. 

When a domestic is forward and bold in manners, 
and disrespectful in address, a similar course can be 
pursued. It can be shown, that those, who are among 
the best-bred and genteel, have courteous and respect- 
ful manners and language to all they meet, while many, 
who have wealth, are regarded as vulgar, because they 
exhibit rude and disrespectful manners. ‘The very 
term, gentleman, indicates the refinement and delicacy 
of address, which distinguishes the high-bred from the 
coarse and vulgar. 

In regard to appropriate dress, in most cases it is 
difficult for an employer to interfere, directly, with com- 
ments or advice. ‘The most successful mode, is, to 
offer some service in mending or making a wardrobe, 
and when a confidence in the kindness of feeling is 
thus gained, remarks and suggestions will generally be 
properly received, and new views of propriety and 
economy can be imparted. In some cases, it may be 
well for an employer,—who, from appearances, antici- 

18* D. E. 


* 































Cle om her. deinpiae: kept neat, pee Pek 
that she expects to males ee of their duty, 


neglect the care of their own chambers and. clot 
and such habits have a most pernicious influence « 
their wellbeing, and on that of their children in futur 
domestic life. An employer, then, is bound to exer 
a parental care over jessie in these respects. 


qualifications. for them duties, much patience and be- — 
nevolence are required. Multitudes have never been _ 
taught to do their work properly ; and, in such cases, — 
how unreasonable it would be to expect it of them! 
Most persons, of this class, depend, for their knowledge be 
in domestic affairs, not on their parents, who are usu- 
ally unqualified to instruct them, but on their employ- _ 
ers; and if they live ina family. where nothing is done 
neatly and properly, they have no chance to learn how ~ 
to perform their duties well. When a lady finds that — q 
she must employ a domestic who is ignorant, awkward, _ 
and careless, her first effort should be, to make all 
proper allowance for past want of instruction, and the — 
next, to remedy the evil, by kind and patient teaching. — 
In doing this, it should ever be borne in mind, thabad 
nothing is more difficult, than to change old habits, and — 
to learn to be thoughtful and considerate. “And. a 
woman must make up. her mind to tell the same thin: 
“over and over again,” and yet not lose her patience. — 
It will often save much vexation, if, on the arrival of 
new domestic, the mistress of the family, or a daughte 
will, for two or three days, go round with the novice, — 
ey show the exact manner in which it is expected — q 
the work will be done. And this, also, it may be w 
to specify in the agreement, as some domestics woul 
otherwise resent such a supervision. ae 
But it is often remarked, that, after a. woman | E 
faken all this pains to instruct a domestic, and m a 






ON THE CARE OF DOMESTICs. 211 


her a good one, some other person will offer higher 
_ wages, and she will leave. This, doubtless, is a sore 
trial; but, if such efforts were made in the true spirit of 
benevolence, the lady will still have her reward, in the 
- consciousness that she has contributed to the welfare 
of society, by making one more good domestic, and 
one more comfortable family where that domestic is 
employed; and if the latter becomes the mother of a 
family, a whole circle of children will share in the 
benefit. : | 

There is one great mistake, not unfrequently made, 
in the management both of domestics and of children ; 
and that is, in supposing that the way to cure defects, 
is by finding fault as each failing occurs. But, instead 
of this being true, in many cases the directly opposite 
course is the best; while, in all instances, much good 
judgement is required, in order to decide when to 
notice faults, and when to let them pass unnoticed. 
There are some minds, very sensitive, easily discour- 
aged, and infirm of purpose. . Such persons, when they 
have formed habits of negligence, haste, and awkward- 

_ hess, often need expressions of sympathy and encour- 
agement, rather than reproof. They have usually been 
found fault with, so much, that they have become either 
hardened or desponding ; and it is often the case, that 
a few words of commendation will awaken fresh efforts 
and renewed hope. In almost every case, words of 
kindness, confidence, and encouragement, should be 
mingled with the needful admonitions or reproof. 

It is a good rule, in reference to this point, to fore- 
warn, instead of finding fault. Thus, when a thing has 
been done wrong, let it pass unnoticed, till it is to be 
done again; and then, a simple request, to have it done 
in the right way, will secure quite as much, and proba- 

_ bly more, willing effort, than.a reproof administered for 

neglect. Some persons seem to take it for granted, 
that young and inexperienced minds are bound to have 
all the forethought and discretion of mature persons ; 
and freely express wonder and disgust, when mishaps 

































occur + for want of abe traits. But. it two 


i Drei and ill-humor will be aro 

_ Those, who fill the places of heads of families, 
not very apt to think how painful it is, to be chided for — 
neglect of duty, or for faults of character. If the 
would sometimes imagine themselves in the place of — 
those whom they control, with some person daily ad- 
ministering reproof to them, in the same- tone and style 
as they employ to those who are under. them, it might — 
serve as a useful check to their chidings. It is often a 
the case, that persons, who are most strict and exacting, — 
and least able to make allowances and receive pallia- 1 
tions, are themselves peculiarly sensitive to any vin’ q 
which implies that they are in fault. By such, the — 
spirit implied in the Divine petition, “forgive us’ our ' 
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass mc oel us,” 
needs especially to be cherished. : % a 

One other consideration, is very important. ~ The oe 
is no duty, more binding on Christians, than that of — 
patience and meekness under provocations and disap- _ 
pointment. Now, the tendency of every ‘sensitive — 
mind, when thwarted in its wishes, is, to complain and 
find ale: and that often in tones of fretfulness OF: 
anger. But ‘there are few domestics, who have not — 
heard enough of the Bible, to know that angry or fret- 
ful fault-finding, from the mistress of a family, when 
her work is not done to suit her, is not in agreement _ 
with the precepts of Christ. They notice and feel the 
inconsistency ; and every woman, when she gives way 
to feelings of anger and impatience, at the faults a i 


her own conscience, unless very much blinded, canno 
but suffer a wound. oy 

There are some women, who, in the main, are amia 
ble, who seem impressed ‘with ‘the idea, that it is their 
office and duty to find fault with their domestics 





ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. 213 


whenever any thing is not exactly right, and follow 
their fancied calling without the least appearance of 
tenderness or sympathy, as if the objects of their disci. 
pline were stocks or stones. The writer once heard a 
domestic, describing her situation in a family which she 
had left, make this remark of her past employer: “ She 
was a very good housekeeper, allowed good wages, and 
gave us many privileges and presents; but if we ever 
did any thing wrong, she always talked to us just as if 
she thought we had no feelings, and I never was so un- 
happy in my life, as while living with her.” And this 
was said of a kind-hearted and conscientious woman, 
by a very reasonable and amiable domestic. 

Every woman, who has the care of domestics, should 
cultivate a habit of regarding them with that sympathy 
and forbearance, which she would wish for herself or 
her daughters, if deprived of parents, fortune, and 
home. The fewer advantages they have enjoyed, and 
the greater difficulties of temper or of habit they have 
to contend with, the more claims they have on com- 
passionate forbearance. ‘They ought ever to be looked 
upon, not as the mere ministers to our comfort and 
convenience, but as the humbler and more neglected 
children of our Heavenly Father, whom He has sent to 
claim our sympathy and aid.* 


CHAPTER XIX. 


ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. 


Every young lady ought to learn how to take proper 
eare of an infant; for, even if she is never to become 
the responsible guardian of a nursery, she will often 


* The excellent little work of Miss Sedgwick, entitled ‘ Live, and 
Let Live,’ contains many valuable and useful hints, conveyed in a 
most pleasing narrative form, which every housekeeper would do 
well to read. The writer also begs leave to mention a work of her 
own, entitled, ‘ Letters to Persons engaged in Domestic Service.’ 





ois 
= 


2 Sat 





{= 


























_ be in situations where she can render benevol 
others, in this most fatiguing and anxious d) 
7 The writer has known instances, in whi 
indies, who, having been trained, by their 
properly to perform this duty, were, in som . 
the means of saving the lives of infants, and in other 

of relieving, by their benevolent aid, sick a from 
intolerable care and anguish. - 
- On this point, Dr. Combe eran £6 All pene a 
are not destined, in the course of Nature, to become © 
mothers; but how very small is the number of those, 
who are unconnected, by family ties, friendship, or — 
sympathy, with the children of others! How very few — 
are there, who, at some time or other of their lives, would © 
_ not find their usefulness and happiness increased, by the — 
possession of a kind of knowledge, intimately allied to — 
their best feelings and affections! And how important ~ 
is it, to the mother herself, that her efforts should be 
seconded by intelligent, instead of ignorant, assistants!” 
In order to be ‘prepared for such benevolent minis- 
tries, every young lady should improve the opportunity, fe 
‘ whenever it is afforded her, for learning how to wash, 
dress, and tend, a young~-infant; and whenever she 
meets with such a work as Dr. Combe’s, on the: man- 
agement of infants, she ought to read it, and remember — 
its contents. a 
It was the design of the author, to fill this- chapter 
chiefly with extracts from various medical writers, — 
giving some of the most important directions on this — 
subject ; but finding these extracts too prolix fora work | 
of this kind, she has condensed them into a shorter 
compass. Sane are quoted verbatim, and some are © 
abridged, chiefly from the writings of Doctors Combe, — 
Bell, "and Eberle, who are among the most approved ra 
writers on this subject. or 
“Nearly one half of the deaths, occurring during the 
first two years of existence, are ascribable to misman 
agement, and to errors in diet. At birth, the stomach — 
1S feeble, and as yet unaccustomed to food ; 5 its cravings ; 


— 1a i 
A. 








ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. Qh5 


“aré: consequently. easily satisfied, and frequently re- 
newed.” “At that early age, there ought to be no 
fixed time for giving nourishment. The stomach can- 
not be thus satisfied.” “The active call of the infant, 
is a sign, which needs never be mistaken.” 

But care must be taken to determine between the 
erying of pain or uneasiness, and the call for food; and - 
the practice of giving an infant food, to stop its cries, is 
often the means of increasing its sufferings. After a 
child has satisfied its hunger, from two to four hours 
should intervene, before another supply is given. 

“ At birth, the stomach and bowels, never having 
been used, contain a quantity of mucous secretion, 
which requires to be removed. ‘To effect this, Nature 
has rendered the first portions of the mother’s milk 
purposely watery and laxative. JIvurses, however, dis- 
trusting Nature, often hasten to administer some active 
purgative ; and the consequence often is, irritation in 
the stomach and bowels, not easily subdued.” It is 
only where the child is deprived of its mother’s milk, as 
the’ first food, that some gentle laxative should be given. 

“Tt is a common mistake, to suppose, that, because 
a woman is nursing, she ought to live very fully, and 
to add an allowance of wine, porter, or other fermented 
liquor, to her usual diet. ‘The only result of this plan, 
is, to cause an unnatural fulness in the system, which 
places the nurse on the brink of disease, and retards, 
rather than increases, the food of the infant. More 
will be gained by the observance of the ordinary laws 
of health, than by any foolish deviation, founded on 
ignorance.” 

There is no point, on which medical men so em 
phatically lift the voice of warning, as in reference to 
administering medicines to infants. It is so difficult to 
discover what is the matter with an infant, its frame is 
so delicate and so susceptible, and slight causes have 
such a powerful influence, that it requires the utmost 
skill and judgement to ascertain what would be proper 
medicines, and the proper quantity to be given. | 























ON THE CARE OF a a 


Says Dr. Goines That sherk are cases, i | 
active means must be promptly used, to save t lds 
is Sa true. But it is not less — that ee. 


well managed, medicine, of any. kind, is: very  taely e- 
quired ; and if disease were more generally regarded i 
its true light, not as something thrust into the system, 
which requires to be expelled by force, but as an aber- 
ration from a natural mode of action, produced by some 4 
external cause, we should be in less haste to attack it by — 
medicine, and more watchful in its prevention. Ac- — 
cordingly, where a constant demand for medicine exists 
in a nursery, the mother may rest assured, that there is 
something essentially wrong in the treatment of her 4 
children. 4 
“Much havoc is made among infants, by the aban ag 
of calomel and other medicines, which procure momen- __ 
tary relief, but end by producing incurable disease ; and — 
it has often excited my astonishment, to see how reck- 
lessly remedies of this kind are had recourse to, on the — 
most trifling occasions, by mothers and nurses, who 
would be horrified, if they knew the nature of the! @ 
power they are wielding, and the extent of injury they 
- are inflicting.” | 
Instead, ‘then, of depending on medicine, for the | 
preservation of the health and life of an infant, the fol- 
lowing precautions and preventives should be adopted. 
Take particular care of the food of an infant. If it — 
. is nourished by the mother, her own diet should be | 4 
simple, nourishing, and temperate. If the child be é a 
brought up by hand, the milk of a note ieee = 
mixed with one third water, and sweetened a little with — 
white sugar, should be the only food given, until the 
teeth come. ‘This is more suitable, than any prepara- : 
tions of flour or arrow-root, the nourishment of which — 
is too highly concentrated. Never give a child bread, — 
cake, or meat, before the teeth appear. If the food ap- — 
pear to distress the child, after eating, first ascertain if 





ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. Q17 


the milk be really from a new-milch cow, as it may 
otherwise be too old. Learn, also, whether the cow 
lives on proper food. Cows that are fed on still-slops, 

as is often the case in cities, furnish milk which is very 
unhealthful. . 
_ Be sure and keep a good supply of pure and fresh 
air, in the nursery. On this point, Dr. Bell remarks, 
respecting rooms constructed without fireplaces, and 
without doors or windows to let in pure air, from with- 
out, ‘ The sufferings of children of feeble constitutions, 
are increased, beyond measure, by such lodgings as 
these. An action, brought by the Commonwealth, ought 
‘to lie against those persons, who build houses for sale 
or rent, in which rooms are so constructed as not to 
allow of free ventilation; and a writ of lunacy taken 
out against those, who, with the common-sense experi- 
ence which all have on this head, should spend any 
portion of their time, still more, should sleep, in rooms 
thus nearly air-tight.”’ 

_ After it is a month or two old, take an infant out to 
walk, or ride, in a little wagon, every fair and warm 
day ; but be very careful that its feet, and every part 
of its body, are kept warm: and be sure that its eyes 
are well protected from the light. Weak eyes, and 
sometimes blindness, are caused by neglecting this pre- 
caution. Keep the head of an infant cool, never allow- 
ing too warm bonnets, nor permitting it to sink into 
soft pillows, when asleep. Keeping an infant’s head 
too warm, very much increases nervous irritability ; and 
this is the reason why medical men forbid the use of 
caps for infants. But the head of an infant should, 
especially while sleeping, be protected from draughts 
of air, and from getting cold. mee: 

Be very careful of the skin of an infant, as nothing 
tends so effectually to prevent disease. For this end, 
it should be washed all over, every morning, and then 
gentle friction should be applied, with the hand, to the 
back, stomach, bowels, and limbs. ‘The head should 


be thoroughly washed, every day, and then brushed 
19 D. E. 




















: comb will remove it all, eaikagt any wouhier ‘ 
__ Dress the infant, so foet it will be always wa 
not So as to cause : DERSPIPGtION = Be sure and. keep: 


a ‘Gee, and use ‘eet mane Keep the neck me arms 
- covered. For this purpose, wrappers, open m ee 
made ‘high in the neck, with long sleeves, to. rt a 
over the frock, are now very fashionable. _ a “= 
It is better ae both mother and child, that» it ‘should ¥ 
_ not sleep on the mother’s arm, at night, unless. thes E 
weather be extremely cold. This practice keeps. the 
child too warm, and leads it to seek food too frequent. 
ly. A child should ordinarily take nourishment but 
twice in the night. A crib beside the mother, with a 
plenty of warm and light covering, is best for the child 
but the mother must be sure that it is always kept warm. 
Never cover a child’s head, so that it will mhale the air 
of its own lungs. In very warm weather, especially i in. 
cities, great pains should be taken, to find fresh and_ 
- cool air, by rides and sailing. Walks in a public. é 
‘Square, in the cool of the morning, and frequent ex- 
cursions in ferry or steam-boats, would often save a Jong E 
bill for medical attendance. In hot nights, the windows. . 
should be kept open, and the infant laid on a mattress, 
or on folded blankets. A bit of straw matting, laid 
over a featherbed, and covered with the under sheet, : 
makes a very cool bed for an infant. 
_ Cool bathing, in hot weather, is very useful ; “but he < 

water should be very little cooler than the skin of th 
child. When the constitution is delicate, the wate 
should be slightly warmed. Simply sponging the body 
freely, in a tub, answers the same purpose as a regula 
bath. In very warm weather, this should be done t 
or three times a day, always waiting two or three h ) 
after food has been given. 


“When the stomach is peculiarly irritable, ho 





>- ON THE CARE OF INFANTS. 219 


bigdthics ») it is of paramount necessity to withhold all 
the nostrums which have been so falsely lauded as 
“sovereign cures for cholera infantum. The true 
restoratives, to a child threatened with disease, are, 
cool air, cool bathing, and cool drinks of simple water, 
m addition to proper food, at stated intervals.’ Do not 
take the advice of mothers, who tell of this, that, and 
the other thing, which have proved excellent remedies 
in their experience. Children have different constitu- 
tions, and there are multitudes of different causes for 
their sickness ; and what might cure one child, might 
kill another, which appeared to have the same complaint. 
’ A mother should go on the general rule, of giving an 
infant very little medicine, and then only by the di- 
rection of a discreet and experienced physician. And 
there are cases, when, according to the views of the 
most distinguished and competent practitioners, physi- 
cians themselves are much too free in using medicines, 
instead of adopting preventive measures. 

Do not allow a child to form such habits, that it will 
not be quiet, unless tended and amused. A healthy 
child should be accustomed to lie or sit in its cradle, 
much of the time; but it should occasionally be taken 
up, atid tossed, or carried about, for exercise and 


amusement. An infant should be encouraged to creep,> 


as an exercise very strengthening and useful. If the 
mother fears the soiling of its nice dresses, she can 
keep a long slip or apron, which will entirely cover the 
dress, and can be removed, when the child is taken in 
the arms. A child should not be allowed, when quite 
young, to bear its weight on its feet, very long at a time, 
as this tends to weaken and distort the limbs. 

Many mothers, with a little painstaking, succeed in 
putting their infants, while awake, into their cradle, at 
regular hours, for sleep, and induce regularity in other 
habits, which saves much trouble. In doing this, a 

child may cry, at first, a great deal; but for a healthy 
child, this use of the lungs does no harm, and tends 
rather to strengthen, than to injure, them. ‘A child who 


Ay Geechee | 
Be eeo ia toe 


=P eee S ¥ 
Tay 2 Brie ie ae tee RE 





















220 ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG 


is trained to lie or sit, and amuse itself, is hay 
one who is carried and tended a. sae: deal, 


CHAPTER XX. 


> ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. pus 
ye vas) 
I regard to the physical education of children, Dr. a 
Clarke, Physician in Ordinary to the Queen of England, 
expresses views, on one point, in which most physicians 
would coincide: He says, ‘‘ There is no greater error 
in the management of children, than that of giving 
them animal diet very early. By persevering in the use 
of an overstimulating diet, the digestive organs become 
uritated, and the various secretions, immediately con-_ 
nected with, and necessary to, digestion, are diminished, 
especially the biliary secretion. Children, so fed, become 
very liable to attacks of fever, and of inflammation, 
affecting, particularly, the mucous membranes; and 
measles, and the other diseases incident to childhood, a 
are generally severe in their attack.” a 
There are some popular notions on the subject of the om 
use of animal food, which need to be corrected. = = 8 8 | 
One mistake, is, in supposing that the formation 
of the human teeth and stomach indicate that man was _ 
- designed to feed on flesh. Linnzeus says, that the or- 
ganization of man, when compared with other animals, 
shows, that “fruits and esculent vegetables constitute 
his most suitable food.” Baron Cuvier, the highest au- 
thority on comparative anatomy, says, ‘ the natural food 
of man, judging from his structure, appears to consist 
of fae roots, and other succulent parts of vegetables.’ , 
Ariothior common mistake, is, that the suinule Of aa 
animal food is necessary for the full developement of, 2 
the physical and intellectual powers. This notion is 
disproved by facts. The inhabitants of Lapland anc 





_.  +‘ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN, 221 


_ Kamtschatka, who live altogether on animal food, are 

among the smallest, weakest, and most timid, of races. 
But the Scotch Highlanders, who, in a very cold climate, 
live almost exclusively on milk and vegetable diet, are 
emong the bravest, largest, and most athletic, of men. 
_ The South-Sea Islanders, who live almost exclusively 
on fruits and vegetables, are said to be altogether su- 
perior to English sailors, in strength and agility. An 
‘intelligent gentleman, who spent many months in 
Siberia, testifies, that no exiles endure the climate 
better than those, who have all their lives been accus- 
tomed to a vegetable diet. The stoutest and largest 
tribes in Africa, live solely on vegetable diet, and the 
bright, intelligent, and active Arabs, live entirely on milk 
and vegetables. 

The popular notion is, that animal food is more 
nourishing than vegetable ; but on this point, scientific 
men hold different opinions. Experiments, repeatedly 
made by some chemists, seem to prove the contrary. 
Tables have been prepared, showing the amount of 
nutriment in each kind of food, by which it would 
appear, that, while beef contains thirty-five per cent. 
of nutritious matter, wheat-bread and rice contain 
from eighty to ninety-five per cent. The supposed 
mistake is attributed:to the fact, that, on account of 
the stimulating nature of animal food, it digests easier 
and more quickly than vegetables. Many physicians, 
however, among them, Dr. Combe,* are of opinion, that 
animal food “contains a greater quantity of nutriment 
in a given bulk, than either herbaceous or farinaceous 
food.” In some diseases, too, meat is better for the 
stomach than vegetables. 

The largest proportion of those, who have been re- 
markable for having lived to the greatest age, were per- 
sons, whose diet was almost exclusively vegetables ; and 
it is a wellknown fact, that the pulse of a hardy and 
robust man, who lives on simple vegetable diet, is from 


* See his ‘ Physiology of Digestion considered with relation to the 
Principles of Dietetics,’ issued by the Publishers of this work. | 


19* D: E. 


> 
2-2 = “Vie 
i (pees ai ae 
c ee ae aa pe Eh 
" = aa me Daw C2 4 ew. Ls 
ya ol 4% Sh eS ne Nein 
gy Se SR as a | ah oe 





























ON THE MANAGEMENT oF YOUNG CH LDR 


+ 
cad 


‘ten to twenty beats less in a minute, than | tl “i t 
_ who live on a mixed diet. ee 


pa is to be see by all who labor with the miei! | 
The mightiest efforts of Sir Isaac Newton, were per- 
formed, while nourished only by bread and water. — 
Many other men, distinguished by intellectual vigor, 
give similar testimony. ‘These facts show that animal — 
food is not needful, to secure the perfect developement “4 
of mind or body.* # 
The result of the treatment of the inmates of the oa 
Orphan Asylum, at Albany, is one, upon which all, 
who have the care of young children, should deeply 
ponder. During the first six years of the existence of © 
this Institution, its average number of children was _ 
eighty. For the first three years, their diet was meat __ 
once a day, fine bread, rice, Indian puddings, vegeta- _ 
bles, fruit, and milk. Considerable attention was given — 4 
to clothing, fresh air, and exercise; and they were — 
bathed once in three weeks. During these three years, = 
from four to six children, and sometimes more, were — 
continually on the sick-list; one or two assistant nurses — 
were necessary ; a physician was’ called, two or three ‘_ 
times a week ; ae in this time, there were between — 
thirty and forty deaths. At the end of this period, the 4 
management was changed, in these respects :—daily. 3 
ablutions of the whole body were practised ; bread of 4 
unbolted flour was substituted for that of fine wheat; 4 
and all animal food was banished. More attention also 
‘was paid to clothing, bedding, fresh air, and exercise. 4 
The result was, that the nursery was vacated: the nurse 
and physician were no longer needed ; and, for two years, 
not a single case of sickness or death ocourred. The 3 . 


* The writer is not an advocate for total abstinence Frben ‘ene 
food. She coincides with the best authorities, in thinking that adults 
eat too much; that children, while growing, should eat- rey little 
and quite young children, none at all. 





EE UE oe Oa eT ET, een i aa ey a OU Ay 
hoo i» re! <i Dee 1 ea 


tapes 
ye 


Fee RE oie ok et ae 
or I rnyaiien, Ue a Seams eri eat = ce 







1 MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN, 235 


: os si idiots and one other child, all of one were new 
~ inmates, who had not been subjected to this treatment. 
_ ~The teachers of the children also testified, that there 
was a manifest increase of intellectual vigor and ac- 
. uty, while there was much less irritability of temper. 
_ Let parents, nurses, and teachers, reflect on’ the . . 
above statement, and bear in mind, that stupidity of 
intellect, and irritability of temper, as well as ill health, 
are often caused by the mismanagement of the nursery, 
in regard to the physical traiming of children. There 
is probably no practice, more deleterious, than that of i 
allowing children to eat at short intervals, through the | 
day. As the stomach is thus kept'constantly at work, 
with no time for repose, its functions are deranged, and 
a weak or disordered stomach is the frequent result. 
Children should be required to keep cakes, nuts, and 
other good things which they may have to eat, till just 
before a meal, and then they will form a part of their 
reoular supply. This is better, than to wait till after 
their hunger is satisfied by food, when they will eat 
their niceties merely to gratify the palate, and thus 
overload the stomach. 

In regard to the intellectual training of young = 
children, some modification in the common practice } 
is necessary, with reference to their physical wellbeing. 
More care is needful, in providing well-ventilated 
schoolrooms, and in securing more time for sports in 
the open air, during school hours. It is very important, 
to most mothers, that their young children should be 
removed from their care, during the six school hours ; 
and it is very useful,.to quite young children, to be sub- 
jected to the discipline of a school, and to intercourse 
with other children of their own age. And, with a- 
suitable teacher, it is no matter how early children are 
sent to school, provided their health is not endangered, 
by impure air, too much confinement, and too great 
mental stimulus. 

In regard to the formation of the moral character, it. 


SK heres, kf 
Sai SEAL 2 Sie a 


pee ices Maks eb aaa ais MS tanga Soa Sn fe tea SS 





a been too much the case, that the diate 
nursery has consisted of disconnected efforts 


* 


fore the fobads of the children. Whenever thew wishes 4 


~ nursery, and in the school, and through all future — 4 


be punished ; is the ordinary routine of family gove 












beat ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CH 


children either do, or refrain from doing, certair 
ticular acts. Do this, and be rewarded; do tha 


ment. ran Te 

But children can be very early taught, that their hap 
piness, both now and hereafter, depends on the forma 
tion of hadits of submission, self-denial, and benevolence. 
And all the discipline of the nursery can be conducted _ 
by the parents, not only with this general aim in their 
own minds, but also with the same object daily set be-. 


are crossed, or their wills subdued, they can be taught, — 
that all this is done, not merely to please the parent, or 
to secure some good to themselves or to others; but as 
a part of that merciful training, which is designed to 
form such a character, and such habits, that they can 
hereafter find their chief happiness in giving up their 
will to God, and in living to do good to others, instead a 
of living merely to please themselves. ? 
It can be pointed out to them, that they must see 
submit their will to the will of God, or else be con- 
tinually miserable. It can be shown, how in the 


days, a child must practise the giving up of his will 
and wishes, when they interfere with the nghts and 
comfort of others; and how important it is, early to 
learn to do this, so that it will, by habit, become easy 
and agreeable. It ean be shown, how children, who 
are indulged in all their wishes, and who are never ac- - 
customed to any self-denial, always find it hard to re- 
frain from what injures themselves and others. Itcan 
be shown, also, how important it is, for every person, to 
form such habits of benevolence, icq others, that = 
self-denial, in doing good, will become easy. oe 

Parents have learned, by experience, that children ‘ 
can be constrained, by authority and penalties, to exers 
cise self-denial, for ini own good, till a habit is formed, 





WN THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. 225 


which makes the duty comparatively easy. For Seabuid 


welltrained children can be accustomed to deny them- , 


selves tempting articles of food, which are injurious, 
until the practice ceases to be painful and difficult. 
Whereas, an indulged child would be thrown into fits 
of anger or discontent, when its wishes were crossed, by 
restraints of this kind. 

But it has not been so readily discerned, that the 
same method is needful, in order to form a habit of 
self-denial, in doing good to others. It has been sup- 
posed, that, while children must be forced, by authority, 
to be self-denying and prudent, in regard to their own 
happiness, it may properly be left to their own discre- 
tion, whether they will practise any self-denial in doing 
good to others. But the more difficult a duty is, the 
greater is the need of parental authority, in forming a 
habit, which will make that duty easy. 

In order to secure this, some parents turn their ear 
liest efforts to this object. They require the young 
child always to offer to others a part of every thing 
which it receives ; always to comply with all reasonable 
requests of others for service ; and often to practise little 
acts of self-denial, in order to secure some enjoyment 
for others. If one child receives a present of some 
nicety, he is required to share it with all his brothers 


and sisters. If one asks his brother to help him in. 


some sport, and is met with a denial, the parent re- 
quires the unwilling child to act benevolently, and give 
up some of his time to increase his brother’s enjoyment. 
Of course, in such an effort as this, discretion must be 
used, as to the frequency and extent of the exercise of 
authority, to induce a habit of benevolence. But, where 
parents deliberately aim at such an object, and wisely 
conduct their instructions and discipline to secure it, 
very much will be accomplished. 

Religious influence should he brought to bear directly 
upon this point. In the very beginning of religious in- 
struction, Jesus Christ should be presented to the child, 
as that great and good Being, who came into this 


ey ee, ae ee es ed eed 


cee 
oi 































ere He, ts meidedindtig midat “ate dil | 
the will of His Heavenly Father; who, in the | 
_ station, and most destitute condition, denied- 
daily, and went about doing good; should cons 
be presented as the object of their imitation. Aj 
nothing so strongly influences the minds of children, as _ 
the sympathy and example of a present friend, all those, ‘3 
who believe Him to be an ever-present Saviour, should — 
avail themselves of this powerful aid. ‘Under sv 
training, Jesus Christ should be constantly present - 
to them, as their ever-watchful, tender, and sympa- — 
thizing friend... If the abstract idea of an unembodied — 4 
Spirit with the majestic attributes of Deity, be difficult — 
for the mind of infancy to grasp, the simple, the outlay 
the lovely, character of Christ, is exactly adapted to the — 
wants and comprehension of a child. In this view, 
how touching is the language of the Saviour, to His 
misjudging disciples, “Suffer the litle children to come 
unto me!” 4 
In regard to forming habits of obedience, there nave 4 
been two extremes, both of which need to be shunned. 
One is, a stern and unsympathizing maintenance eo 
parental authority, demanding perfect and constant — 
obedience, without any attempt to convince a child of 
the propriety and benevclence of the requisitions, and © 
without any manifestation of sympathy and tenderness — 
for the pain and difficulties which. are to be met. — 
Under such discipline, children grow up to fear their — ‘ 
parents, rather than to love and trust them; while some 4 
of the most valuable principles of character, are. dries 
or forever blasted. a 
In shunning this danger, other parents pass to the 
opposite extreme. They put themselves too much on 
the footing of equals with their children, as if little were 4 
due to superiority of relation, age, and experience, 
Nothing is exacted, without the implied concession | 
ihat the child is to be a judge of the propriows of the © 
6 a Was ” 









> tisition ; and reason and persuasion are employed, 
where simpie command and obedience would be far 
a Peder, This system produces a most pernicious in- 
ee fluence. Children soon perceive the position, thus 
allowed them, and take every advantage of it. They 
soon learn to dispute parental requirements, acquire 
habits of forwardness and conceit, assume disrespectful 
manners and address, maintain their views with perti- 
nacity, and yield to authority with ill-humor and re- 
sentment, as if their rights were infringed. 

The medium course, is, for the parent to take the 
attitude of a superior, in age, knowledge, and relation, 
who has a perfect right to “control every action of the 
child, and that, too, without giving any reason for the 
requisitions. -« Obey, because your parent comme 
is always a proper and sufficient reason. 

But care should be taken, to convince the child that 
the parent is conducting a course of discipline, designed 
to make him happy; and in forming habits of impli- 
eit obedience, self-denial, and benevolence, the child 
should have the reasons for most requisitions kindly 
stated; never, however, on the demand of it, from 
the child, as a right, but as an act of kindness from the 
parent. 

It is impossible to govern children properly, especially 
those of strong and sensitive feelings, without a con- 
stant effort to ‘appreciate the value which they attach 
co their enjoyments and pursuits. A lady, of great 
strength of mind and sensibility, once told the writer, 
chat one of the most acute periods of suffering, in her 
whole life, was occasioned by the burning up of soms 
milkweed-silk, by her mother. The child had found, 
cor the first time, some of this shining and beautiful 
substance ; was filled with delight at her discovery ; 
was arranging it in parcels; planning its future uses, 
and her pleasure in showing it to her companions,— 
when her mother, finding it strewed over the carpet, 
hastily swept it into the fire, and that, too, with so in- 
different an air, that the child fled away, almost dis- 


: ona MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. 227 





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ee 
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felt tp: Sldodees: so see that for’ eosenalal 
her mother was an object almost of aversion. = 
While, therefore, the parent needs to carry on 
steady course, ‘which will oblige the child always — 
give up its will, whenever its own good, or the greater 
claims of others, require it, this should be constantly — 
connected with the expression of a tender sympathy, 
for the trials and disappointments thus inflicted. “Those; ~ 
who will join with children, and help them along in 
their sports, will learn, by this mode, to understand the = q 
feelings and interests of childhood ; while, at the same 
time, they secure a degree of confidence and affection, 
which cannot be gained so easily, in any other way. 
And it is to be regretted, that parents so often relin — 2 
quish this most powerful mode of influence, to domes- 
tics and playmates, who often use it in the most per- _ 
nicious manner. In joiming in such sports, older 
‘persons should never relinquish the attitude of supe- 
riors, or allow disrespectful manners or address... And 
respectful deportment is never more cheerfully accorded, _ 
than in seasons, when young hearts are pleased, and - a 
made grateful, by having their tastes and i so me a 
efficiently promoted. a 
Next to the want of all coveriaeen the two most “a 
fruitful sources of evil to children, are, unsteadiness in 
government, and over-government.. Most of the cases, 
in which the children of sensible and conscientious 
parents turn out badly, result from one or the other of © 
these causes. In cases of unsteady government, either — 
one parent is very strict, severe, and unbending, and 
the other excessively indulgent, or else the parents are — ‘ 
sometimes very strict and decided, and at other times 
allow disobedience to go unpunished. In such cases, — 
children, never knowing exactly when they can escape 
with impunity, are constantly tempted to make - f 
trial. 


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7 





ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. 22¢ 


reference to one important principle of the mind. I: 
is found to be universally true, that, when any objec 
of desire is put entirely beyond the reach of hope ‘or 
expectation, the mind very soon ceases to long for it, 
_ and turns to other objects of pursuit. But, so jong as 
_ the mind is hoping for some good, and making efforts 
to obtain it, any opposition excites irritable feelings 
Let the object be put entirely beyond all hope, and this 
irritation soon ceases.. In consequence of this principle, 
those children, who are under the care of persons of 
steady and decided government, know, that whenevei 
a thing is forbidden or denied, it is out of the reach of 
hope ; the desire, therefore, scon ceases, and they turn te 
other objects. But the children of undecided, or of 
over-indulgent parents, never enjoy this preserving aid 
When a thing is denied, they never know but eitner 
coaxing may win it, or disobedience secure it without 
any penalty, and so they are kept in that state of hope 
and anxiety, which produces irritation, and tempts to 
insubordination. The children of very indulgent pa- 
rents, and of those who are undecided and unsteady 
in government, are very apt to become fretful, irritable, 
and fractious. 

Another class of persons, in shunning this evil, go to 
the other extreme, and are very strict and pertinacious, 
in regard to every requisition. With them, fault-find- 
ing and penalties abound, untii the children are either 
hardened into indifference of feeling, and obtuseness of 
conscience, or else become excessively irritable, or mis- 
anthropic. 

It demands great wisdom, patience, and self-control, 
to escape these two extremes. In aiming at this, there 
are parents, who have found the following maxims of 
very great value. First, Avoid, as much as possible, 
the multiplication of rules and absolute commands. 
Instead of this, take the attitude of advisers. ‘“‘ My 
child, this is improper, I wish you would remember not — 
to do it.” This mode of address answers for all the 
.ittle acts of heedlessness, awkwardness, or ill-manners, 

20 D. Bs 


/ 


























so frequently occurring, with children. 
Sg when direct and distinct commands a 


be as steady and sure as the laws of Neca 
such steadiness, and certainty of penalty, att 
obedience, children no more think of disobeying, th 
wa do of putting their fingers in a burning candle. — 

The next maxim, is, Govern by rewards, more — 
than by penalties, Such faults as wilful disobedience, _ 
lying, dishonesty, and indecent or profane language, — 
should be punished with severe penalties, after a child — 
has been fully instructed in the evil of such practices. 
But all the constantly-recurring faults of the nursery, ‘. 
such as ill-humor, quarreling, carelessness, and ill- — 
manners, may, in a great many cases, be regulated by 
gentle and kind remonstrances, and by the offer of 
some reward for persevering efforts to form a good — 
habit. It is very injurious and degrading to any mind, 
to be kept under the constant fear of penalties. - Love a 
and hope are the principles that should be. mainly. mee a 
on, in forming the habits of childhood. _ i 

Another maxim, and perhaps the most difficult; ‘is, a 
Do not govern by ‘the aid of severe and angry tones. 
A single example will be given to illustrate this maxim. ie 
A child is disposed to talk and amuse itself, at table. 
The mother requests it to be silent, except when need- 
ing to ask for food, or when spoken to by its” older — 
friends. It constantly forgets. The mother, instead — 
of rebuking, in an impatient tone, says, “ My child, you~ 
must remember not to talk. I will remind you of it four — 
times more, and after that, whenever you forget, you 
must leave the table, and. wait till we are done.”> If 
the mother is steady in her government, it is not prob- 
able that she will have to apply this slight penalty more 
than once or twice. This method is far more effectua 
than the use of sharp and severe tones, to secure atten- 
tion and recollection, and often answers the purpose, a ! 
well as offering some reward. F 

_ The writer “has been in some families, where; te, ic 






~ ie ~ “yp, A eee hg ede ee, BE ee ey Cee ee OE ee cs ee Mee Ss ee ee eed go ENS Jk Rare 
ieee: pee eS Ne SS Esl iets wae gn ee ae 
7 


gets ie 


ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. 231 


Pa efficient and steady government has been sus-. 
ined, without the use of a cross or angry tone; and 
m others, where a far less efficient discipline was kept 
up, by frequent severe rebukes and angry remon- 
strances. In the first case, the children followed the 
example set them, and seldom used severe tones to 
each other ; in the latter, the method employed by the 
parents, was imitated by the children; and cross words 
and angry tones resounded from morning till night, in 
every portion of the household. 

- Another important maxim, is, Try to keep children 
in a happy state of mind. Every one knows, by expe- 
rience, that it is easier to do right, and submit to rule, 
when cheerful and happy, than when irritated. This 
is peculiarly true of children; and a wise mother, when 
she finds her child fretful and impatient, and thus con- 
stantly doing wrong, will oiten remedy the whole dif- 
ficulty, by telling some amusing story, or by getting the 
child engaged in some amusing sport. This strongly 
shows the importance of learning to govern children 
without the employment of angry tones, which always 
produce irritation. 

Children of active, heedless temperament, or those 
who are odd, awkward, or unsuitable, in their remarks 
and deportment, are often essentially injured, by a want 
of patience and self-control in those who govern them. 
Such children, often possess a morbid sensibility, which 
they strive to conceal, or a desire of love and approba- 
tion, which preys like a famine on the soul. And yet, 
they become objects of ridicule and rebuke, to almost 
every member of the family, until their sensibilities are 
tortured into obtuseness or misanthropy. Such chil 
dren, above all others, need tenderness and sympathy. 
A thousand instances of mistake or forgetfulness should 
be passed over, in silence, while opportunities for com- 
mendation and encouragement should be diligently 
sought. 

In regard to the formation of habits of self-denial, in 
childhood. it is astonishing to see how parents, who are 






























wish of the child is : studiously gratified ¢ ahd, pri tece. 
necessity exists, of crossing its wishes, some compen-_ 
sating pleasure is offered, in return. Such parents, — 
often maintain that nothing shall be put on their table, — 
which their children may not join them in eating. — But | 3 
where, so easily and surely as at the daily meal, can that — 
habit of self-denial be formed, which 1s so needful i int BOV=: y 
erning the appetites, and which children. must acquire, © 
or be ruined? The food which is proper for grown _ 
persons, is often unsuitable for children; and this is 
a sufficient reason for accustoming them to see others 
partake of delicacies, which they must not share. Re- 
quiring children to wait-till others are helped, and to 
refrain from conversation at table, except when ad- 
dressed by their elders, is another mode of forming 
habits. of self-denial and self-control. Requiring them 
to help others, first, and to offer the best to elton has a 
a similar influence. oe 
In forming the moral habits of children, it is Wise to 
take into account the peculiar temptations to which 
they are to be exposed. ‘The people of this Nation are 
eminently a trafficking people ; and the present standard __ 
of honesty, as to trade and debts, is very low, and every 
year seems sinking still lower. It is, therefore, pre- 
eminently important, that children should be trained to 
strict honesty, both in word and deed. It is not merely — 
teaching children to avoid absolute lying, which is 
needed. All kinds of deceit should be guarded against ; 
and all kinds of little dishonest practices be strenuousl 
opposed. <A child should be brought up with the de 
termined principle, never to run in debt, but to be con 
tent to live in an humbler way, in order to secure tha 
true independence, which should be the noblest. dis. 
tinction of an American citizen. +d 





ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. 233° 
# 
There i is no more important duty, seohie upon 6 | 
mother, than the cultivation of habits of modesty and 
‘propriety in young children. All indecorous words or 
deportment, should be carefully restrained ; and delicacy 
and reserve studiously cherished. It is a common no- 
tion, that it is important to secure these virtues to one 
sex, more than to the other; and, by a strange incon- 
sistency, the sex most exposed to danger, is the one 
selected as least needing care. But a wise mother will 
be especially careful, that her sons are trained to modesty 
and purity of mind. 

But few mothers are sufficiently aware of the dread- 
ful penalties which often result from indulged impurity 
of thought. If children, in future life, can be preserved 
from licentious associates, it is supposed that their safety 
is secured. But the records of our insane retreats, and 
the pages of medical writers, teach, that even in solitude, 
and without being aware of the sin or the danger, chil- 
dren may inflict evils on themselves, which not unfre- 
quently terminate in disease, delirium, and death. 
Every mother and every teacher, therefore, carefully 
avoiding all explanation of the mystery, should teach 
the young, that the indulgence of impure thoughts and 
actions, is visited by the most awful and terrific penal- 
. ties. Disclosing the details of vice, in order to awaken 
dread of its penalties, is a most dangerous experiment, 
and often leads-to the very evils feared. The attempts 
_ made, in late years, to guard children from future dan- 
gers, by circulating papers, and books of warning and 
information, have led to such frightful results, that it is 
hoped the experiment will never again be pursued. 
The safest course, is, to cultivate habits of modesty and 
delicacy, and to teach, that all impure thoughts, words, 
and actions, are forbidden by God, and are often visited 
by the most dreadful punishment. At the same time, 
it is important for mothers to protect the young mind 
from false notions of delicacy. It should be shown, 
that whatever is necessary, to save from suffering or 
danger, must be met, without shame or aversion; and 

20* D. E 





234 



















that ull, which God has instituted, is 1 7, 
end — Gi 


£ eathets should carefully aed the bei 
highly-wrought fictions, which lead the imagir t 
astray; and especially from that class of licentic 
works, made interesting by genius and taste, w 
“have flooded this Country, and which are often fo a 
on the parlor table, even of moral and Christian pe 
_ Of this class, the writings of Bulwer stand conspicu 
The only difference, between some of his works 
the obscene prints, for vending which men suffer the - 
penalties of the law, is, that the last are so gross, as to 
revolt the taste and startle the mind to resistance, while 
Bulwer presents the same ideas, so clothed in the fas- 
cinations of taste and genius, as most ‘insidiously » to 
seduce the unwary. It seems to be the chief aim of 
this licentious writer, to make thieves, murderers, and 

adulterers, appear beautiful, refined, and interesting. — 

It is time that all virtuous persons in the community : 
should rise in indignation, not only against the bic - 
but the venders of such poison. ae 


CHAPTER XXI. 


ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. 


what shall be done, for some one who is , indepaall 
and often, in circumstances where she must trust sole 
to her own judgement. In such cases, some err, | 
neglecting to do any thing at all, till the patient is q 
sick ; but a still greater number err, from excessive | 
dab sae dosing. 43 
The two great causes of the ordinary clight atte 
bf illness, in a family, are, sudden chills, which el 





IK 


gee ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. — 935 


om “Behera: of the skin, and thus affect the throat, lungs, 
or bowels; and the excessive or improper use of food. 


Tn most cases, of illness from the first cause, bathing 
the feet, and some aperient drink to induce perspiration, 


‘are suitable remedies. A slight cathartic, also, is often _ 


serviceable. In case of illness from improper food, or 
excess in eating, fasting, for one or two meals, to give 
the system time and ‘chance to relieve itself, is the 
safest remedy. Sometimes, a gentle cathartic may be 
aeedfual; but it is best first to try fasting. 

~The following extract from a distoutse of Dr. Burne, 
pefore the London Medical Society, contains important 
information. “In civilized life, the causes, which are 
most generally and continually operating in the produc- 
tion of diseases, are, affections of the mind, improper 
diet, and retention of the intestinal excretions. ‘The 
undue retention of excrementitious matter, allows of the 
absorption of its more liquid parts, which is a cause of 
great impurity to the blood, and the excretions, thus 
rendered hard and knotty, act more or less as extrane- 
ous substances, and, by their irritation, produce a de- 
termination of blood to the intestines and to the neigh 
boring viscera, which ultimately ends in inflammation. 
It also has a great effect on the whole system; causes 
a determination of blood to the head, which oppresses 
the brain and dejects the mind; deranges the functions 
of the stomach; causes flatulency; and produces a 
general state of discomfort.” 

Dr. Combe remarks, on this subject, “In the natural 
and healthy state, under a proper system of diet, and 
with sufficient exercise, the bowels are relieved regular- 
ly, once every day.” Habit “is powerful in modifying 
the result, and in sustaining healthy action when once 
fairly established. Hence the obvious advantage of 
observing as much regulanity, in relieving the system, 
as in taking our meals.” It is often the case that so- 
liciting Nature at a regular period, once a day, will 
remedy constipation, without medicine, and induce a 
regular and healthy state of the bowels: ‘¢ When, 


¥ 




































Spadina cae respiratory ete the first. Hien 
taken, is, again to solicit their aid; first, by re 
ing all impediments to free respiration, such as § 
waistbands and belts; secondly, by resorting to | 
active exercises, as shall call the muscles into. full an 
regular action ; and, lastly, by proportioning the quan 
tity of food to the wants of the system, and the con- 

dition of the digestive organs. If we employ these — 
means, systematically and perseveringly; we shall rarely — 
fail in at last restoring the healthy action of the bowels, — 
with little aid from medicine. But if we neglect these 
modes, we may go on, for years, adding pill to pill, and — 
_ dose to dose, without ever attaining the:end at which _ 
we aim.” Tseg is no point, in which a woman needs 
more knowledge and discretion, than in administering — 
remedies for what seem slight attacks, which are not 
supposed to require the attention of a physician. Tt-is- 
little realized, that purgative drugs are unnatural modes 
of stimulating the internal organs, tending to exhaust 
them of their secretions, and to debilitate and disturb — 
the animal economy. For this reason, they should be _ 
used as little as possible ; and fasting, and perspiration, — 
and the other methods pointed out, should always be 
first resorted to. When medicine must be given, it — 
should be borne in mind, that there are various classes 

of purgatives, which produce very diverse effects. 
Some, like salts, operate to thin the blood, and re- 4 
duce’ the system; others are stimulating ; and others: 
have a peculiar operation on certain organs. Of course, 
great discrimination and knowledge is needed, in order 
to select the kind, which is sidtable to the particular Be: 
disease, or to the particular constitution of the invalid. — : 
This shows the folly of using the many kinds of pills, = 

and other quack medicines, “where no knowledge can — 
be had of their composition. Pills which are good fo 
one kind of disease, might operate as poison in another — 
state of the system. It is wise to keep always on hand i 


4.9 : 
as gel za 





a ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. 237 


some simple cathartic, for family use, in slight attacks ; 
and always to resort to medical advice, whenever pow- 
erful remedies seem to be demanded.* It is very com- 
mon, in cases of colds which affect the lungs or throat, 
_to continue to try one dose after another, for relief. It 
will be well to bear in mind, at such times, that all 
which goes into the stomach, must be first absorbed 
into the blood, before it can reach the diseased part; 
and that there is some danger of injuring the stomach, 
or other parts of the system, by such a variety of doses, 
many of which, it is probable, will be directly contra- 
dictory in their nature, and thus neutralize any supposed 
benefit they might separately impart. 

It is very unwise, to tempt the appetite of a person 
who is indisposed. The cessation of appetite is the 
warning of Nature, that the system is in such a state, 
that food cannot be digested. 

The following suggestions may be found. useful, in 
regard to nursing the sick. As nothing contributes 
more to the restoration of health, than pure air, it 
should be a primary object, to keep a sick-room well 
ventilated. At least twice in the twenty-four hours, 
the patient should be well covered, and fresh air freely 
admitted from out of doors. After this, if need be, 
the room should be restored to a proper temperature, 
by the aid of a fire. Bedding and clothing should 
also be well aired, and frequently changed; as the 
exhalations from the body, in sickness, are peculiarly 
deleterious. Frequent ablutions, of the whole body, if 
possible, are very useful; and for these, warm water 
may be employed. 


* The followmg electuary, by a distmguished physician, is used by 
many friends of the writer, as a standing resort, in cases of constipa- 
tion, or where a gentle cathartic is needed. One recommendation of 
it, is, that children always love it, and eat the pills as ‘¢ good plums.”’ 

Two ounces of powdered Senna; one ounce of Cream of Tartar; 
one ounce of Sulphur; mixed with sufficient Confection of Senna, 
to form anelectuary. Make this into pills, of the size of peas, and 
give a young child two or three, as the case may be. Taking three 
pills, every night, will generally relieve constipation in an adult 

~ 




















The following, are useful diteotioans ‘ots 
bimee Spread thinly, on a linen cloth, an oir 
composed of one third of beeswax to, two thi 
tallow ; lay this upon a linen cloth, folded mar 
With a sharp pair of scissors, make an aperture in tl 
~ lower. part of the bag of water, with a little hole, ORORE: 
to give it vent. Break the raised skin as little as pos- 
sible. Lay on the cloth, spread as directed. The blis- 
ter, at first, should be djoasedhedca amet thtee times in : 
a day, and the dressing renewed each time.  - 

A sick-room should always be kept very neat, aul in 
Rerioct order; and all haste, noise, and bustle, should : 
be avoided. In order to secure neatness, order, and 
quiet, in case of long illness, the following arrange-— 
ments should be made. Keep a large box for fuel, 
which will need to be filled only twice in twenty-four 
hours. Provide, also, and keep in the room, or an ad- 
jacent closet, a small teakettle, a saucepan, a pail 
of water, for drinks and ablutions, a pitcher, a covered 
porringer, two pint bowls, two tumblers, two cups and — 
saucers, two wine glasses} two. large ‘and. two small e 
spoons; also, a dish in which to wash these articles; a_ 
good supply of towels, and a broom. Keep. a slop- — 
bucket, near by, to receive the wash of the room. 
Procuring vall these articles at ean will save much 
noise and confusion. - 

- Whenever medicine or food is given, Bathe: a "oleate 
towel over the person or bedelothing, and get a clean 
handkerchief, as nothing is more annoying to a weak 
stomach, than the stickiness and soiling produced be 
medicine and food. Keep the fireplace neat, and ¢ ae, @ 
ways wash all articles, and put them in order, as soon 
as they ere out of use. = 

A piel person has nothing to do, but look about the : 





neglect, are constant ee of annoyance, which, i 
not complained of, are yet felt. 





ON THE CARE OF THE SICK. 239 


_ Always prepare food for the sick, in the neatest and 
_ most careful manner. It is in sickness, that the senses 

of smell and taste are most susceptible of annoyance ; 
and often, little mistakes or negligences, in ey eens 
food, will take away all appetite. 

Food for the sick, should be cooked on coals, that no 
smoke may have access to it; and great care must be 
taken, to prevent any adherence to the bottom, as this 
always gives a disagreeable taste. 

Keeping clean handkerchiefs and towels at hand, 
cooling the pillows, sponging the hands with water, 
swabbing the mouth with a clean linen rag, on the end 
of a stick, are modes of increasing the comfort of the 
sick. Always throw a shawl over a sick person, when 
raised up. 

Be careful to understand a physician’s directions, and 
to obey them implicitly. If it be supposed that any other 
person knows better about the case, than the physician, 
dismiss the physician, and employ that person in his 
stead. 

In nursing the sick, always speak gently and cheer- 
ingly ; and, while you express sympathy for their pain 
and trials, stimulate them to bear all with fortitude, and 
with resignation to Him who has appointed the trial. 
Offer to read the Bible, or other devotional books, 
whenever it is suitable, aad will not be deemed ob- 
trusive. 

It is always best to consult the physician, as to where 
medicines shall be purchased, and to show the articles 
to him before using them, as great impositions are prac- 
tised in selling old, useless, and adulterated drugs. Al- 
ways put labels on vials of medicine, and keep them 
out of the reach of children. 

Be careful to label all powders, and particularly all 
white powders ; as many poisonous medicines, in this 
form, are easily mistaken for others which are harmless, 












240 


ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOT 


CHAPTER XXIL 


ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. 


- Wuen serious accidents occur, iedion! aid ‘hake 4 


be immediately procured. ‘Till that can be done, the 
following directions may be useful. a8 

When a child has any thing in its throat, first try, a 
with the finger, to get the article up. If this cannot 
be done, push it down into the stomach, with a smooth — 


elastic stick. If the article be a pin, sharp bone, glass, — ; 


or other cutting substance, give an emetic which. will 
immediately operate. re | 
In the case of a common cut, bind the lips oh the 


wound together, with a rag, and put nothing elseon- 
If the cut be large, and so situated that rags will not 
bind it together, use sticking plaster, cut in strips and 
laid obliquely across the cut. Sometimes it is needful 
to take a stitch, with a needle and thread, on each lip 


of the wound, and draw the two sides together. : 

If an artery be cut, it must. be immediately tied up, 
or the person will bleed to death. ‘The blood from an’ 
artery is of a bright red color, and spirts out, in regular 
jets, at each beat of the heart. Take up the bleeding 
end of the artery, and hold it, or tie it up, till a surgeon 
comes. When the artery cannot be found, and in all — 
cases of bad cuts on any of the limbs, apply compres- 
sion ; when it can be done, tie a very tight bandage 
above the wound, if it be below the heart, and below if 


the wound be above the heart. Put a stick into the 
band, and twist it as tight as can be borne, till sur- 


gical aid be obtained. a. 
Bathe bad bruises-in hot water, or hot ‘pia or aad 


decoction of bitter herbs. Entire rest, is the pee 


for sprains. Bathing in warm water, or warm bare 
is very useful. A sprained leg should be kept ‘in’ a 
horizontal position, on a bed or sofa. , 

When a leg is broken, tie it to the other leg, to keep 











| ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. 241° 


a still; and, if possible, get a surgeon, before the limb 
swells. Bind a broken arm toa piece of shingle, and 
keep it still, till it is set. 

In case of a blow on the head, or a fall, causing in- 


_ sensibility, use a mustard paste on the back of the neck 


and pit of the stomach, and rub the body with spirits. 
After the circulation is restored, bleeding is often ne- 
cessary ; but it is very dangerous to attempt it before. 
_In cases of bad burns, where the skin is taken off, 
the great aim should be, to keep the ayured part from 
the air. For this purpose, sprinkle on flour, or apply 
a liniment, made of linseed oil and lime-water, in equal 
quantities. Sweet-oil, on cotton, is good; and with 
laudanum, alleviates pain: but many skins cannot bear 
the application of raw cotton, which is sometimes very 
food. When a dressing is put on, do not remove it, as 
it will be sure to protract the cure, by admitting the air. 
In case of drowning, lay the person in a warm bed, 
or on blankets, on the right side, with the head raised, 
and a little inclined forward. Clear the mouth with 
the fingers, and cautiously apply hartshorn to the nose. 
Raise the heat of the body, by bottles of warm water 
applied to the pit of the stomach, armpits, groins, and 
soles of the feet. Apply friction to the whole body, 
with warm hands and cloths dipped in warm spirits of 
camphor. Endeavor to produce the natural action of 
the lungs, by introducing the nose of a bellows into 
one nostril and closing the other, at the same time 
pressing on the throat, to close the gullet. When the 
lungs are thus inflated, press gently on the breast and 
belly, and continue the process, for a long time. Cases 
have been known, where efforts have been protracted 
eight or ten hours, without effect, and then have proved 
successful. Rolling the body on a barrel, suspending 
it by the heels, giving injections of tobacco, and many 
other practices, which have been common, are highly 
injurious. After signs of life appear, give small quan 

fities of wine, or spirits and water. 
In cases of poisoning, from corrosive sublimate, beat 

D. E 









‘of ee and give a tumbler full every” thee 
ull vomiting is produced. This is the surest ret 
When this is not at hand, fill the stomach, in like. 1a 
ner, with any mucilaginous substance, ‘such as gum 
and water, flaxseed, or slippery-elm-bark — tea. F lour 
and water, or sugar and water, in great quantities, are 
next best; and if none of these be at hand, give | co- 
pious draughts of water alone. | 

In case of poisoning from arsenic, cobalt, or r any ne 
mineral, administer, as soon as possible, large quanti- — 
ties of lime-water and sugared-water, of warm, or even 
of cold water, or of flaxseed tea, or some other muci- 
- Jaginous drink, to distend the stomach and produce 
immediate vomiting, and thereby eject the poison. | 

If opium, or any of its preparations, has been taken, 
in dangerous quantities, induce vomiting, without a 
moment’s s unnecessary delay, by giving, immediately, i in 
a small quantity of water, ten grains of ipecac, and ten 
grains of sulphate of zinc, (white vitriol, which is the 
most prompt emetic known,) and repeat the dose 
every fifteen minutes, till the stomach is entirely emp- 
tied. Where white vitriol is not at hand, substitute q 
three or four grains of blue vitriol, (sulphate of copper.) 
When the stomach is emptied, but not before, give, 
every ten minutes, alternately, a cup of acid drink, and~ 
a cup of very strong coffee, made by pouring a pint of 
boiling water on a quarter of a pound of ground burnt 
coffee, and letting it stand ten minutes, and then strain- 
ing it. Continue these drinks, till the danger is over, 
Dash cold water on the head, apply friction to the 
body, and keep the person in constant motion, to pre- 
vent sleep. 

If any kind of acid be taken, in poisonous quantities, 
give strong pearlash-water. If ley, or pearlash, ‘or any 
alkali be taken, give sveet-oil; or, if this be wanting, 
lamp-oil ; or, if neither be at hand, give vinegar, freely. 

In case of stupefaction, from the fumes of charcoal, 
or from entering a well, limekiln, or coal mine, expose 


3 
4 


= 


. 
« 
cs. 
i. 

; 


ee 


OE et eg ies See ey eee 








o a to cold air, lying on his back, dash cold 
_ water on the head and breast, and rub the body with 
spirits of camphor, vinegar, or Cologne water. Apply 
_ mustard paste to the pit “of the stomach, and use friction 
‘on the hands, feet, and whole length of the back bone. 
Give some acid drink, and, when the person revives, 
place him in a warm bed, in fresh air. Be prompt and 
persevering. 
In case of bleeding at the lungs, or stomach, or 
throat, give a teaspoonful of dry salt, and repeat it 
often. For bleeding at the nose, pour cold water on 
the back of the neck, keeping the head elevated. 





If a person be struck with lightning, throw pailfuls - 


of cold water onthe head and body, and apply mustard 
poultices on the stomach, with friction of the whole 
body, and inflation of the lungs. When no other 
emetic can be found, pounded mustard seed, taken a 
teaspoonful at a time, will answer. The ground mus- 
tard is not so effectual, but will do. : 

_In case of fire, wrap a woollen blanket*about you, to 
protect from the fire. If the staircases are on fire, 
tie the corners of the sheets together, very firmly, fasten 
one end to the bedstead, draw it to the window, and 
let yourself down. Never read in bed, lest you fall 
asleep, and the bed be set on fire. If your clothes get 
on fire, neverrun, but lie down, and roll about till you 


can reach a bed or carpet to wrap yourself in, and thus 


put out the fire. Keep young children in woollen 
dresses, to save them from the risk of fire. 

In_ thunderstorms, shut the doors and windows. 
The safest part of a room, is its centre; and where 
there is a featherbed in the apartment, that will be 
found the most secure resting-place. 

A lightning rod, if it be well pointed, and run deep 
into the earth, is a certain protection to a circle around 
it, whose diameter equals the height of the rod above 
the highest chimney. But it protects no further than 
this extent. 


ON ACCIDENTS AND ANTIDOTES. 243. 


_ physical exercise, and draw off the mind from absorbing 


body is strengthened, the mind is invigorated, and all our- 








on DoMEsrié amt 


Xs 


MV aE nk the laws of body and siltida are re pro} ; 


understood, it will be allowed, that every person needs 
some kind of recreation ; and that, by seeking it, the 


duties are more cheerfully and successfully performed. : 

Children, whose bodies are rapidly growing, and 
whose nervous system is tender and excitable, need 
much more amusement, than persons of mature age. 
Persons, also, who are oppressed with great responsi- 
bilities and duties, or who are taxed by great intellectual 
or moral excitement, need recreations which secure — 


interests. ‘Unfortunately, such persons are those who_ 
least resort to amusements, while the idle, gay, and 
thoughtless, seek those which are needless, and for 
which useful occupation would be’ a most beneficial _ 
substitute. ; Se 

As the only legitimate object. of amusements, is, ‘to 
prepare mind and body for the proper discharge of duty, , 
any protracting of such as interfere with regular em- 
ployments, or indu¢e excessive fatigue, or weary the — : 
mind, or invade the proper hours for eps must be q 
sinful. ., 3 
In deciding what should be selected, and what avid + 
ed, the following rules are binding. In the first place, 4 
no amusements, which inflict needless pain, should ever — 
be allowed. All tricks which: cause fright, or vexation, 7 
and all sports, which involve suffering to animals, sae 
be utterly forbidden. Hunting and fishing, for mere — 
sport, can never be justified. If a man can convince — 3 
his children, that he follows these pursuits to gain — 
food or health, and not for amusement, his cle 
may not be very injurious. But, when children see 


i eee a eT 






SOCIAL DUTIES. 245 


& 


cag 





"grown. persons kill and frighten animals, for sport, 
habits of cruelty, rather than feelings of tenderness and 
"benevolence, are induced. _ 

In the next place, we should seek no recreations, 

hich, endanger life, or interfere with important duties. 
As the only legitimate object of amusements, is to pro- 
mote health, and prepare for more serious duties, select- 
ing those which have a directly opposite tendency, can- 
not be justified. Of course, if a person feel that the 
previous day’s diversions have shortened the hours of 
needful repose, or induced a lassitude of mind or body, 
instead of invigorating them, it is certain that an evil 
has been done, which should never be repeated, 

A third rule, is, to avoid those amusements, which 

experience has shown to be so exciting, and connected 

with so many temptations, as to be pernicious in ten- 
dency, both to the individual and to the community. 
It is on this ground, that horse-racing and circus-riding 
are excluded. Not because there is any thing positively - _ 
wrong, in having men and horses run, and perform feats 
of agility, or in persons looking on for the diversion ; 
but because experience has shown so many evils con- 
nected with these recreations, that they should be re- 
linquished. So with theatres. The enacting of char- 
acters, and the amusement thus afforded, in itself may 
be harmless; and possibly, in certain cases, might be 
useful: but experience has shown+so many evils to re- 
sult from this source, that it is deemed wrong to patro- 
nize it. So, also, with those exciting games of chance, 
which are employed in gambling. 

Under the same head, comes dancing, in-the eatin. 
tion of the great majority of the religious world. Still, 
there are many intelligent, excellent, and conscientious 
persons, who hold a contrary opinion. Such maintain, 
that it is an innocent and healthful amusement, tending 
to promote ease of manners, cheerfulness, social affec- : 
tion, and health of mind and body; that evils are in- 
volved only in its excess; that, like food, study, or 
religious excitement, it is only wrong, when not prop 

21* D. Ee | 


o 














246 ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS — 


erly regulated; and that, if serious and i 
people would strive to regulate, rather than ba 
amusement, much more good would be secured. © 
On the other side, it is objected, not that dancing i 
a sin, in itself considered, for it was once a par 
sacred worship ; not that it would be objectionable : 
it were properly regulated ; not that it does not tend, — 
when used in a proper manner, to health of body and ‘ 
mind, to grace of manners, and to social . enjoyment : ; 
all these things are conceded. But it is objected to,on 
the same ground as horse-racing, card-playing, and 
theatrical entertainments ; that we are to look at amuse- 
ments as they are, and not as they might be. Horse-. 
races might be so managed, as not to involve cruelty,” an 
gambling, drunkenness, and every other vice. And so- 
might theatres and cards. And if serious and intelli- — 
gent persons, undertook to patronize these, in order to — 
regulate them, perhaps they would be somewhat raised. = 
from the depths, to which they are now sunk. But 
such persons, know, that, with the weak sense of moral 
obligation existing in the mass of society, and the im-— 
perfect ideas mankind have of the proper use of amuse-— 
ments, and the little self-control, which men, or women, — 
or children, practise, these will not, in fact, be thus 
regulated. And they believe dancing to be liable et 
the same objections. 7 

As this recreation is actually chia it Sash not o 
tend to produce health of body or mind, but directly 
the contrary. If young and old went out to dance 
together, in the open air, as the French peasants do, it 
would be a very different sort of amusement, from that 
which is witnessed, in a room, furnished with many 
lights, and filled ‘with guests, both expending the 
healthful part of the atmosphere, where the young col- 
lect, in their tightest dresses, to protract, for several 
hours, a kind of. physical exertion, which is not habitual 
to them. During this process, the blood is made to 
circulate more swiftly than ordinary, in circumstances 
where it is less perfectly oxygenized than health re- 





pitier' ibe pores of the skin are excited by heat va 
exercise ; the stomach is loaded with indigestible 
articles, and the quiet, needful to digestion, withheld ; 
the diversion is protracted beyond the usual hour for 
repose; and then, when the skin is made the most 
highly susceptible to damps and miasms, the company 
pass from a warm room to the cold night-air. It is 
probable, that no single amusement can be pointed out, 
combining so many injurious particulars, as this, which 
is so often defended as a healthful one. Even if 
- parents, who train their children to dance, can keep 


them from public balls, (which is seldom the case,) 


dancing in private parlors is subject to nearly all the 
same mischievous influences. 

As to the claim of social benefits,—when a dancing- 
party occupies the parlors, and the music begins, most 
of the conversation ceases; while the young prepare 
themselves for future sickness, and the old look smi 
lingly on. 

As to the claim for ease and grace of manners,— 
all that is gained, by this practice, can be better se- 
cured, by Calisthenics, which, in all its parts, em- 
braces a much more perfect system, both of healthful 
exercise, graceful movement, and pleasing carriage. 

The writer was once inclined to the common opin- 
‘ion, that dancing was harmless, and might be properly 
regulated : and she allowed a fair trial to be made, 
under her ‘auspices, by its advocates. ‘The result was, a 
full conviction, that it secured no good effect, which could 
not be better gained another way ; that it involved the 
most pernicious evils to health, character, and happi- 
ness; and that those parents were wise, who brought 
up their children with the full understanding that they 
were neither to learn nor to practise the art. In the 
fifteen years, during which she has had the care of 
young ladies, she has never known any case, where 
learning this art, and following the amusement, did not 
have a bad effect, either on the habits, the intellect, the 
feelings, or the health. ‘Those young ladies, who are 


. Ries 
AL nist De time 


AND SOCIAL DUTIES. 247 © 





acquire a relish Bate pen for high ¢ Bt Povo 
make the more steady and quiet pursuits and 
ments of home, comparatively tasteless. This 
writer believes to be generally the case, though not 
variably so; for there are exceptions to all general : 

rules. : 

In reference to these exciting amusements, so liable f 
to danger and excess, parents are bound to regard the 
principle, which is involved in. the petition, “ Lead us 
not into temptation.” Would it not be inconsistent, 
to teach this prayer, to the lisping tongue of childhood, 
and then send it to the dancing-master, to acquire a 
love for a diversion, which leads to constant temppenops 
that so few find strength to resist? 

It is encouraging, to those who take this view of aes 
subject, to find how fast the most serious and intelligent 
portion of the community is coming to a similar result. 
Twenty-five years ago, dancing was universally prac- 
tised by the young, as a matter of course, in every part 
of the Nation. Now, in those parts of the Country, 
where religion and intelligence are most extensively 
diffused, it is almost impossible to get up a ball, among 
the more refined classes of the community. The amuse= 
ment is fast leaving this rank in society, to remain asa 
resource for those, whose grade of intelligence and 
refinement does not relish more elevated recreations. 
Stull, as there is great diversity of opinion, among per- 
sons of equal worth and intelligence, a spirit of candor. 
and courtesy should be practised, on both sides. The © 
sneer at bigotry and narrowness of views, on one side, | 
and: the uncharitable implication of want of piety, or 
sense, on the other, are equally illbred and unchristian. 
Truth, on this subject, is best promoted, not by ill- 
natured crimination and rebuke, but by calm enn 
generous candor, forbearance, and kindness. me 

‘Phere is another species of amusement, which a - 





AND SOCIAL DUTIES. 249 


large portion of the religious world have been accus- 
_ tomed to put under the same condemnation as the pre- 


ceding. This is novel-reading. The confusion and 
difference of opinion on this subject, have arisen from 
a want of clear and definite distinctions. Now, as it 
is impossible to define what are novels and what are 


not, so as to include one class of fictitious writings and — 


exclude every other, it is impossible to lay down any 
rule respecting them. ‘The discussion, in fact, turns on 
the use of those works of imagination, which belong to 
the class of narratives. That this species of reading, is 
not only lawful, but necessary and useful, is settled by 
' Divine examples, in the parables and ‘allegories of 
Scripture. Of course, the. question must be, what 
kind of fabulous writings must be avoided, and what 
allowed. In deciding this, no specific. rules can. be 
given; but it must be a-matter to be regulated by the 
nature and circumstances of each case. No works of 
fiction, which tend to throw the allurements of taste and 
genius around vice and crime, should ever be tolerated ; 
and all that tend to give false views of life and duty, 
should also be banished. Of those, which are written 
for mere amusement, presenting scenes and events that 
are interesting and exciting, and having no bad moral 
influence, much must depend on character and circum- 
_ stances. Some minds are torpid and phlegmatic, and 
need to have the imagination stimulated : such would 
be benefitted by this kind of reading. Others ‘have 
quick and active imaginations, and would be as: much 
injured. Some persons are often so engaged in ab- 
sorbing interests, that any thing innocent, which will 
for a short time draw off the mind, is of the nature of 
a medicine; and, in such cases, this kind of reading is 
useful. 

‘There is need, also, that some men should keep a 
supervision of the current literature of the day, as guar- 
dians, to warn others. of danger. For this purpose, it 


is more suitable for editors, clergymen, and teachers, to. 





























250- . ON DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS | 


read indiscriminately, than for any other cla 
sons ; for they are the guardians of the pu 
: matters of literature, and should be prepared t 
parents and young persons of the evils in one dir 
and the good i in another. In doing mijie path hae 


physicians, when they visit infected alisisiees tate 
every precaution to prevent injury to themselves ; 3 hav-’ 
ang as little to do with pernicious so Shes as a be- 
nevolent regard to others will allow; and faithfully f 
employing all the knowledge and ‘opportunities, thus) 
gained, for warning and preserving others. There is _ 
Milch danger, i in taking this course, that men will seek — a 
the excitement of the imagination, for the mere pleas-— a 
ure it affords, under the plea of preparing to serve ‘thes. 
public, when this is neither the aim nor the result. 7 
In regard to the use of such works, by the young, as 
a general rule, they ought not to be allowed to any, eka, J 
cept those of a dull and phlegmatic temperament, until — 
the solid parts of education are secured, and a taste for 
more elevated reading is acquired. If these stimulating 
condiments in Spence be freely used, in youth, ‘all gm 
relish for more solid reading, will, in a majority ee 
cases, be destroyed. If parents succeed in securing 
habits of cheerful and implicit obedience, it will be very 
easy to regulate this matter, by prohibiting” the reading — 
of any eh ae until the consent of the — is re 
obtained. + 
It is not unfrequently the case, that advan m6 a 
dancing, and the other more exciting amusements, 
speak as if those, who were more strict in these mat- _ 
ters, were aiming to deprive the young of all diversions; __ 
just’ as iff when cards, theatres, and dancing, are cut 
off, nothing remains but serious and severe duties, — 
Perhaps there has been some just ground of objection 
to the course often pursued by parents, in neglecting 
to provide agreeable and suitable substitutes, for the ~~ 
amusements denied ; but, there is a great abundance ag 








AND SOCIAL DUTIES. 25 


/ of safe, healthful, and delightful, recreations, which all 
parents may secure for their children. Some of these 
will here be pointed out. 

~ One of the most useful and important, is, the cultiva- 
tion of flowers and fruits. T his, especially for the 
daughters of a family, is greatly promotive of health 
and amusement. It is with the hope, that many young 
ladies, whose habits are now so formed, that they can 
never be induced to a course of active domestic exer- 
cise, so long as their parents are able to hire domestics, 
may yet be led to an employment, which will tend to 
secure health and vigor of constitution, that so much 
space is given, in this work, to directions for the culti- 
vation of fruits and flowers. It would be a most desira- 
ble improvement, if all female schools could be furnished 
with suitable grounds, and instruments, for the cultiva- 
tion of fruits and flowers, and every inducement offered, 
to engage the young ladies in this pursuit. No father, 
who wishes to have his daughters grow up to be health- 
ful women, can take a surer method to secure this end. 
Let him set apart a portion of his yard and garden, for 
fruits and flowers, and see that the soil is well prepared’ 
and dug over, and all the rest may be committed to 
the care of the children. These would need to be 
provided with a light hoe and rake, a dibble, or garden 
trowel, a watering-pot, and means and opportunities 
for securing seeds,-roots, buds, and grafts, all which 
might be done at a trifling expense. ‘Then, with prop- 
er encouragement, and by the aid of such directions. 
as are contained in this work, every man, who has 
even half an acre, could secure a small Eden around, 
his premises. 

In pursuing this anisenient, children can also be led 
to acquire many useful habits. Early rising would, 1 
many cases, be thus secured ; and if they were required 
to keep their walks and borders free from weeds and— 
rubbish, habits of order and neatness would be induced. 
Benevolent and social feelings could also be cultivated, 


by influencing children to share their fruits and flowers _ 






252 ON DOMESTIC. AMUSEMENTS 


with friends and neighbors, as ov as to Gaprdatess roots. 
and seeds to those, who have not the means of procuring — ; 
them. A woman or a child, by giving seeds, or slips, ~ 
or roots, to a washerwoman, or a farmer’s boy, thus 
exciting ‘them to love and cultivate fruits and flowers, 
awakens a new and refining source of enjoyment In 
minds, which have few resources more elevated than | 
mere physical enjoyments. Our Saviour directs, in | 
making feasts, to call, not the rich, who can recompense 
again, but the poor, who can make no returns. So 
children should be taught to dispense their little treas— 
ures, not alone to companions and friends, who will 
probably return similar favors; but to those who have 
no means of making any | return. If the rich, who ac- 
quire a love. for the enjoyments of taste, and have the 
means to. gratify it, would aim to extend, among the 
poor, the cheap and simple enjoyment of fruits and — 
flowers, our Country would soon literally “ blossom as. 
the rose.’ 

If the ladies of a neighborhood would unite small 
contributions, and send a list of flower-seeds and roots — 
to some respectable and honest florist, who would not 
be likely to turn them off with trash, they could. divide 
these among themselves, so as to secure an abundant 
variety, at a very small expense. A bag of flower-seeds, 
which can be obtained, at wholesale, for four cents, 
would abundantly supply a whole neighborhood ; and, 
by the gathering of seeds, in the Autumn, could be 
perpetuated. | 

Another very elevating and delightful recreation, for 
the young, is found in music. Here, the writer would 
protest against the common practice, in many families, 
of having the daughters learn to play on the piano, 
whether they have a taste and an ear for music, or not 
A young lady, who cannot sing, and has no great fond — 
ness for music, does nothing but waste tiie money, 
and patience, in learning to play on the piano. But 
all children can be taught to sing, in early childhood, 
if the scientific mode of teaching music, in schools, could 


ae 





AND SOCIAL DUTIES. | 253 
he introduced, as it is in Prussia, Germany, and Switzer- 
) land. Then, young children could read and sing music, ~ 
as easily as they can read language; and might take 
any tune, dividing themselves into bands, and ¢ sing off, 
at sight, the endless variety of music which is prepared. 
And if parents of wealth would take pains to have 
teachers qualified for the purpose, as they may be at the 
Boston Academy, and other similar institutions, who 
should teach all the young children in the community, 
much would be done for the happiness and elevation 
_of the rising generation. This is an amusement, which 
children relish, in the highest degree; and which they 
can enjoy, at home, in the fields, and in visits abroad. 

Another domestic amusement, is, the collecting of 
shells, plants, and specimens in geology and mineralog ey, 
for the formation of cabinets.. If intelligent parents 
would procure the simpler works which have been 
prepared for the young, and study them, with their 
children, a taste for such recreations would soon be 
developed. ‘The writer has seen young boys, of eight 
and ten years of age, gathering and cleaning shells from 
rivers, and collecting plants, and mineralogical speci- 
mens, with a delight, bordering on. ecstasy ; and there 
are few, if any, oho, by proper influences, would not 
find this a source of ceaseless delight and improvement. 

Another resource, for family diversion, is to be found 
in the various games played by children, and in which 
the joining of older members of the family is always a 
great advantage to both parties. All medical men unite, 
in declaring that nothing is more beneficial to health, 
than hearty laughter ; and surely our benevolent Creator 
would not have. provided risibles, and made it a source 
of health and enjoyment to use them, if it were a sin 
so todo. ‘There has been a tendency to asceticism, on 
this subject, which needs to be removed. Such com- 
mands, as forbid foolish laughing and jesting, “ which 
are not convenient ;”? and which forbid all. idle words, 
and vain conversation, cannot apply to any thing, ex- 
cept what is foolish, vain, and useless. But jokes, 

. e 22 D. E. 




























piness, are neither vain, foolish, nor “not conv 
It is the excess of these things, and not the mode 
use i them, eg be oie forbids. The Lsiint 


proper for all. There i is acne better for this Biri _ 
than that parents and older persons should join in the 
sports of childhood. Mature minds can always make — 
such diversions more entertaining to children, and can — 
exert a healthful moral influence over their minds; and. 4 a 
at the same time, can gain exercise and amusement for — a 
themselves. How lamentable, that so many fathers, 
who could be thus useful and happy with their children, __ 
throw away such opportunities, and wear out Rie and 
body, in the pursuit of gain or fame! DF ct 
Another resource for children, is in the exercise of 
mechanical skill. Fathers, by providing tools for their 
boys, and showing them how to make wheelbarrows, 
carts, sleds, and various other articles, contribute both — 
to the physical, moral, and social, improvement of their 
children. And in recard to little daughters, much more 
can be done, in this way, than many would imagine, 
The writer, blessed with the example of a most ingeni- = 
ous and idustrious mother, had not only learned, be- 
fore the age of twelve, to make dolls, of various sorts e 
and sizes, but to cut and fit and sew every article, that 
belongs to a doll’s wardrobe. This, which was ‘done 
for mere amusement, secured such a_ facility in mechan= 
ical pursuits, that, ever afterward, the cutting and fitting _ 
of any article of dress, for either sex, was accom pitenad is 
with entire ease. ce 
When a little girl first begins to sew, her mother can @ 
promise her a ginal bed atic pillows, as soon as she has 4 
sewed.a patch quilt for them; and then a bedstead, as _ 
soon as she has sewed the sheets and cases for pil 4 
lows ; and then a large doll to dress, as soon as she has ; 
made the under garments; and thus go on, till ner 7 








whole contents of the baby-house are earned by the 
needle and skill of its little owner. Thus, the task of 
learnmg to sew, will become a pleasure ; and every 
new toy will be earned by useful exertion. A little 
girl can be taught, by the aid of patterns prepared for 
the purpose, to cut and fit all articles necessary for her 
doll. She can also be provided with a little wash-tub, 
and irons, to wash and iron, and thus keep in proper 
order a complete miniature domestic establishment. 


Besides these recreations, there are the enjoyments — 


_ secured in walking, riding, visiting, and many others 
which need not be recounted. Children, if trained to 
be healthful and industrious, will never fail to discover 
resources of amusement; while their guardians should 
lend their aid to guide and restrain them from excess. 
There is need.of a very great change of opinion and 
practice, in this Nation, in regard to the subject of 
social and domestic duties. Many sensible and con- 
scientious men, spend all their time, abroad, in business, 
except, perhaps, an hour or so at night, when they are 
so fatigued, as to be unfitted for any social or intellec- 
tual enjoyment. And some of the most conscientious 
men in the Country, will add, to their professional 
business, public or benevolent enterprises, which de- 
mand time, effort, and money ; and then excuse them- 
selves for neglecting all care of their children, : and 
efforts for their own intellectual improvement, or for 
the improvement of their families, by the plea, that 
they have no time for it. All this, arises from the want 
of correct notions of the binding obligation of our 
social and domestic duties. The main object of life, 
is not to secure the various gratifications of appetite or 
taste, but to form such a character, for ourselves and 
others, as will secure the greatest amount of present 
and future happiness. It is of far more consequence, 
then, that parents should be intelligent, social, affec- 
tionate, and agreeable, at home, and to their friends, 
than that they should earn money enough to live ina 
large house, and have handsome furniture. It is far 


AND SOCIAL DUTIES. 255 


mie ays 
ty ag ee 





in: “ree their social, sntallegueety and sais 

ture, than it is, that he should earn money to furnis. 
them with handsome clothes, and a vara of tempting 
-food.. ‘Seen Ate Diy ‘sie 

It will be wise for tiene parents, ae ame little time 
to attend to their children, or to seek amusement and — 
enjoyment in the domestic and social circle, aes 4 
their time is so much occupied with public cares or 
benevolent objects, to inquire, whether their first duty 
is not to train up their own families, to be useful mem- 
bers of society. A man, who neglects the mind and 
morals of his children, to take care of the public, isin 
great danger of coming under a similar condemnation, __ 
to that of him, who, neglecting to provide for his own 
household, has <“ deuiad the faith, and is worse than an 
infidel.”’ > iis 

There are husbands and fathers, who conscientiously 
subtract time from their business, to spend at home, in — 
reading with their wives and children, and in domestic — 
amusements which at once refresh and improve. The 
children of such parents will grow up witha love of 
_home and kindred, which will be the greatest safeguard —_ 
against future temptations, as well as the purest source 
of earthly enjoyment. . 

There are families, also, who make it a defaita Ht 
ject to keep up family attachments, after the children: 
are scattered abroad; and, in some cases, secure the ~~ 
means for doing this, by saving money, which would — 
otherwise have been spent for superfluities of food or 
dress. Some families have adopted, for this end,a prac- 
tice, which if widely imitated, would be productive of 
extensive benefit. The method is this. On the first — 
day of each month, some member of the family, ateach 
extreme point of dispersion, takes a folio sheet, and 
fills a part of a page. This is sealed and mailed to the — 
next family, who read it, add another contribution, and 
then mail it to the next. Thus the family circular, — 








A eG hae oy ~ 4 SME She“ 
6 Sp ae ¥, “sy 7 * ae | ae 
or are A Pee eS ee ee 7 A ta el J, 
PU I ee, ee ee SL ee - -. G 








. AND SOCIAL DUTIES. 257 


‘once a month, goes os each extreme, to all the mem- 
bers of a widely-dispersed family, and each member 
becomes a sharer in the joys, sorrows, plans, and pur- 
suits, of all the rest. At the same time, frequent fam- 

ily meetings are sought ; and the expense, thus incurred, 
is cheerfully met by retrenchments in other directions. 
The sacrifice of some unnecessary physical indulgence, 
(such, for instance, as the use of tea and coffee,) will 
often purchase many social and domestic enjoyments, a 
thousand times more elevating and delightful, than the 
retrenched luxury. 

There is no social duty, which the Supreme Law- 
giver more strenuously urges, than hospitality and kind- 
ness to strangers, who are classed with the widow and 
the fatherless, as the special objects of Divine tender- 
ness. There are some reasons, why this duty peculiarly 
demands attention from the American people. 

Reverses of fortune, in this land, are so frequent and 
unexpected, and the habits of the people are so migra- 
tory, that there are very many in every part of the Coun- 
try, who, having seen all their temporal plans and hopes 
crushed, are now pining. among strangers, bereft of 
wonted comforts, without friends, and without the 
sympathy and society, so needful to wounded spirits. 
Such, too frequently, sojourn long and lonely, with no 
comforter but Him who “knoweth the heart of 9 
stranger.” 

Whenever, therefore, new comers enter a commu 
nity, inquiry should immediately be made, whether they 
have friends and associates, to render sympathy ana 
kind attentions ; and, when there is any need for it, the 
ministries of kind neighborhood should immediately be 
offered. And it should be remembered, that the first 
days of a stranger’s sojourn, are the most dreary, and 
that civility and kindness are doubled in value, by being 
offered at an early period. 

In social gatherings, the claims of the stranger are 
too apt to be forgotten ; especially, in cases where there_ 
are no peculiar attractions of personal appearance, or 

22° D. E. 





























(ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF 
: 
talerits; or high sing ‘Such a one she | 
with attention, because he is a stranger ; “and 
communities learn to act more from principle, 
from selfish impulse, on this subject, the sacred 
of the stranger will be less frequently forgotten. 
The most agreeable hospitality, to visiters, be- | 
come inmates of a family, is, that which puts. the 
entirely at- ease. This can never be the case, wher 
the guest perceives that the order of family 4 
“ments is essentially altered, and that time, comfort, and — 
convenience are sacrificed, for his accommodation. _ it be 
Offering the best to visiters, showing a polite cena 
to every “wish expressed, and giving precedence - to 
them, in all matters of comfort and convenience, can 
be easily combined with the easy freedom which makes 
the stranger feel at home; and this is the aigye ii of « 
hospitable entertainment. : oh 


e 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 


Turre is no point of domestic economy, whieh? 
more seriously involves the health and daily comfort 
of American women, than the proper construction of 
houses. ‘There are five particulars, to which attention 
should be given, in building a house; namely, economy 
of labor, economy of money, economy of health, econ- - 
omy of comfort, and good taste. Some particulars will, 4 
here be pointed out, under each of these heads. 

The first, respects economy of labor. In deciding § 
upon the size and style of a house, the health and 
capacity of the housekeeper, and the probabilities of 
securing proper domestics, ought to be the very firs 
consideration. If a man be uncertain as to his means 
for hiring service, or if he have a feeble wife, and be 
where > properly-qualified domestics are scarce, it is ver 


ol al eon” a He el a ee EP eet ne ee Pe eee PY ih ae ed ee ee ae! 
TRY ar cn a LOE ON, Wa SAS gs, ent pean OEE ye eae a of ale 
Re ate, ‘ ( Yi 








poor economy to build a large house, or to live in a 

SI style which demands much labor. Every’ room in a 
house adds to the expense involved in finishing and 
j furnishing it, and to the amount of labor spent in 
sweeping, dusting, cleaning floors, paint, and windows, 
and taking care of, and repairing, its furniture. Double 
_the size of a house, and you double the labor of taking 
care of it, and so, vice versa. ‘There is, in this Country, 
a very great want of calculation and eased in this 
matter. 

The arrangement of rooms, and the proper supply 
of conveniences, are other points, in which, economy of. 
labor and comfort is often disregarded. For example, a 
kitchen will be in one story, a sitting-room in another, 
and the nursery in a third. Nothing is more injurious, 
to a feeble woman, than going up and down stairs; and 
yet, in order to gain two large parlors, to show to a few 
friends, or to strangers, immense ‘sacrifices of health, 
comfort, and money, are made. If it be possible, the 

‘nursery, sitting-parlor, and kitchen, ought always to be 
on the same floor. 

The position of wells and cisterns, and the modes of 
raising and carrying water, are other particulars, mn 
which, economy of labor and comfort is sadly neg- 
lected. With half the expense usually devoted to a 
sideboard or sofa; the water used from a well or cistern 
can be so conducted, as that, by simply turning a cock, 
it will flow to the place where it is to be used. 

A want of economy, in labor and in money, is often 
seen in the shape and arrangement of houses, and in 
the style of ornaments and furniture. A perfect square, 
encloses more rooms, at less expense, than any other 
shape; while it has less surface exposed to external 
cold, and can be most easily warmed and ventilated 
And the farther a house is removed from this shape, the 
more the expense is increased. Wings and kitchens 


built out, beyond a house, very much increase expense, 


both in building and warming them. 
Piazzas and porticoes are very expensive ; and their 


Stee ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 259° 


large hall and front staircase. fide me 


* 





ee Heede can as so conarnaaay shek a one ‘stair 
case will answer for both kitchen and parlour. use, as Z 
i 
4 


may be seen in the engraving on page 269, (Pigneio, 
This saves the expense and labor usualy devoted. toa 





Much money is often worse than Bene ae finical 
ornaments, which are fast going out of fashion. - : One — 
of the largest, most beautiful, and agreeable, houses, the _ 
writer was ever in, was finished with doors, windows, — 
and fireplaces, in even a plainer style than any: given in 
the subsequent drawings. 7 

The position of fireplaces has ratich to do with econ- 
omy of expense in warming a house. Where the fire- 
place is in an outer wall, one third of the heat passes 
out of doors, which auld be retained in the house, if. 
the chimney were within the rooms. A house, con- 
trived like the one represented in the engraving on — 
page 272, (Fig. 32,) which can be heated by a stove 
or chimney at X, may be warmed with less fuel than 
one of any other construction.* 

Economy of health is often disregarded, i placing. 
wells, cisterns, and privies, so that persons, in the perspi- 
ration of labor, or the debility of disease, are obliged to 
go out of doors in all weathers. Figure 35, on page 276, 
shows the proper arrangement of such conveniences. _ 
The placing of an outside door, for common use, in a 
sitting-room, as is frequent at the West and South, is — 
detrimental to health. _ In such cases, children, in their — 
sports, or persons who labor, are thrown into perspira- 
tion, by exercise, the door is thrown open, a chill en- 
sues, and fever, bowel complaints, or bilious attacks, — 



















* Many houses are now heated, by a furnace in the cellar, whieh 
receives pure air from out of doors, heats it, and sends it into sever: 
rooms, while water is evaporated to prevent the air from becoming dr 
The most perfect one the writer has seen, is constructed by M 
Fowler, of Hartford. This method secures well-ventilated room 
and is very economical, where several rooms are to be warmed 


“ 


ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 261 





aré the result. A long window, extending down to the 
floor, which can be used as a wilde in Summer, and be 
tightly closed, at the bottom, in Winter, secures all the 
_ benefits, without the evils, of an buistde door. 
Constructing houses, without open fireplaces in 
chambers, or any other mode of ventilation, is another 
sad violation of the:economy of health. Feeble con- 
stitutions in children, and ill health to domestics, are 
often caused by this folly. 

The economy of comfort is often violated, by arrange- 
ments made for domestics. Many a woman has been 
- left to endure much hard labor and perplexity, because 
she chose to have money spent on handsome parlors 
and chambers, for company, which should have been 
devoted to providing a comfortable kitchen and cham- 
bers for domestics. Cramping the conveniences and 
comfort of a family, in order to secure elegant rooms, 
to show to company, is a weakness and folly, which it 
is hoped will every year become less common. 

The construction of houses with reference to good 
taste, isa desirable, though less important, item. The 
beauty of a house ‘depends very much upon propriety 
of proportions, color, and ornament. And it is al- 
ways as cheap, and generally cheaper, to build a house 
in agreement with the rules of good taste, than to build 
an awkward and ill-proportioned one. 


Plans of Houses and Domestic Conveniences. 


The following plans are designed chiefly for persons 
in moderate circumstances, and have especial reference 
- to young housekeepers. 

Every year, as the prosperity of this Nation increases, 
good domestics will decrease, and young mothers are 
hereafter to be called to superintend and perform all 
branches of domestic business, to nurse children, direct 
ignorant domestics, attend the sick, entertain company, 
and fulfil all other family duties; and this, too, in a 
majority of cases, with delicate constitutions, or impaired 
health. Every man, therefore, in forming plans for a 











862s ow THE constRUC 
_ future residence, and every woman who hi 7 
ence in deciding such matters, ought to ma 
probabilities the chief basis of their calculatic 


ee ge 
= 










Fig. 18. 
NS Gronnd-plan. a 
SSSI SSSI Ma : ; 
\ iy a; Porehi si 5 oe 
\ Jj \ b, Parlor, 15 by 16 
\S Ss SN feet. is a ae 
\ c, Dining-room, 
\ 15.by 16 feet. 
. N d, d, Small Bed- 
oe +. POODRS. 6: Ste: com 
* 6; Staite: =) 8 
: Af) f5 Closets. — 


g, Pantry. 
h, Store-closet. 

z,.2, 2, Fireplaces: 
N j, Kitchen. a 
Nk, Bedpress. 
z, Cellar door. 
S i ‘s ee 











“Seale of Feet. 


* Those, who are amateurs in architecture, in judging of these de- 
signs, must take into consideration, that this is a work on domestic — 
* economy, and that matters of taste, have necessarily been made 
subordinate to points, involving economy of health, comfort, and 
expense. Still, it is believed, that good taste has been essentially — 
preserved, in most of these designs. ike 


mpm ieee" h otal aos ams een tree SS RSE LR ca Te ee any 

a ioe SRS pha” Faerie. Ae abt age Se nk 3 
re Ve A ) aig 2 4 ‘ c+. 

. a Ee . 4 > ae 


@ 





‘oN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 203_— 


a “The plan, exhibited in Figures 17, and 18, is that of 
| a , cottage, whose chief exterior beauty i is its fine pro- 
portions. It should be painted white. 

_ Fig. 17, is the elevation, or the front view of the ex- 
terior. Fig. 18, is the ground-plan, in which, an entire 
break in the wail, represents a door, and a break with a 
line across it, a window. When a cross x is put by a 
door, it indicates into which reom the door swings, and 
where the hinges should be put, as the comfort of a 
fireside very much depends on the way in which the 
doors are hung. A scale of measurement is given at 
the bottom of the drawings, by which, the size of all 
parts can be measured. The ten small divisions, are 
each one foot. The longest divisions are ten feet each. 

In the ground-plan, (Fig. 18,) a, is the porch, which 
projects enough to afford an entrance to the two adja- 
cent rooms, and thus avoids the evil of an outside door 
to a sitting-room. If a door be wanted in these 
rooms, the front windows can be made to extend 
down to the floor, so as to serve as doors in Summer, 
and be tightly closed in Winter. The parlor, 6, has 
the bedpress, £, and the closet, f, adjoining it. Figure 
19 is intended to represent ‘this side of the room. 




















a 
BOIS Geet: 6 Fok 


4 
Stale of Feet for the Des 











964 ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HC 


The two large doors, in the centre, open into the bed Ss 
press, and one of the smaller ones into the closet, fi — 
The other, can either be a false door, 1 in order to secure 
symmetry, or else a real one, opening into the “Kiteh- 
en, 
i room, thus arranged, can be made to serve as a 
genteel parlor, for company, during the day, when all 
these doors can be closed. At night, the doors of the 
bedpress being opened, it is changed to an airy bed- 
room, while the closets, f, f, serve to conceal all ac- 
commodations pertaining to a bedroom. The bedpress 
is just large enough to receive a bed; and under it, if 
need be, might “be placed a trucklebed, for young 
children. The eating-room, c, has the ania bedroom, 
d, adjoining it, which, by leaving the door open, at night, — 
will be sufficiently airy for a sleeping-room. The | 
kitchen, 7, has a smaller bedroom, d, attached to it, 
which will hold a narrow single bed for a domestic ; 
and, if need be, a narrow trucklebed under it, for a 
child. The staircase to the garret, can either be placed | 
in the eating-room, or in the small entry. A_plan for. 
back accommodations is shown in Fig. 35, (page 
276.) These should be placed in the rear of the 
kitchen, so as not to cover the window. 

A house like this, will conveniently accommodate 
a family of six or eight persons; but some economy 
and contrivance will be needed, in storing away articles 
of dress and bedclothing. For this end, in the bed_ 
press, k, of the parlor, 6, (Fig. 18,) a wide shelf may 
be placed, two feet from the ceiling, where winter bed- 
ding, or folded clothing, can be stowed, while a short 
curtain in front, hung from the wall, will give a tidy | 
look, and keep out dust. Under this shelf, if need be, 
, pegs can be placed, to hold other articles; and a cur- 
tain be hung from the edge of the shelf, to conceal and — 
protect them. Both the closets, f, f, should have 
shelves and drawers. ‘The garret can have a window 
inserted in the roof, and thus be made serviceable for — 
storage. 






ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 265 


Fig. 20. 


Figure 20 represents a fireplace and mantelpiece, m 
a style corresponding with the doors. 

Such a cottage as this, could be built for from five 
hundred to nine hundred dollars, according as the ex- 
- pense of labor in the place, and ‘the excellence of the 
mmerials and labor, may vary. 


Fig. 21. 




































































Te 


Figures 21 and 22, show the elevation and ground- 
plan of a cottage, in which the rooms are rather more 
agreeably arranged, than.in the former plan. ‘The 
elevation, (Fig. 21,) has a piazza, running across the 
whole front. This would cost nearly two hundred 
dollars; and, for this sum, another story might be add- 


ed. An architect told the writer, that he could build 
et D. F 

















































ies the poor economy of thie pokey 
The ground-plan, (Fig. 22,) will be ab 





: ‘aig peenaeon appended t6 16, ee 
Fig. 22. hae ee ve 
kg SES ae ESS So | SS FE 
N ~ fe N oy . ms a3 ; 
‘ BN aes < 
i 
ee q “es 
heen peerings Fob) an 
x Zk h WP N : 
ae N——N) 
a= | 
‘. SSss Ss % 
N—N 
WEN 
= 
SSS ~ SN 
Xx € \ 
Asks —TCWuU0«» TON ON : So 
a ae 
S N S ene < 
eae 
Ld: 
IO: £0 16 
Scale of Feet. ; 
; a,Porch = By 2) g, ‘teagecma’ 
b, Entry. h, h, h, h, Closets. 
4 ¢, Stairs. i, Store-closet. bs 
d, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. j, Back entry and Sink. 
e, Dining-room, 16 by 16 feet. p, Cellar stairs, 
J, Kitchen. 0, 0,0, Fireplaces. 


The parlor, d, is designed to have the doors (show 
in Fig. 19) placed at the end, where is the bedpress, 
This will make it a handsome parlor, by day, and 






are -t Te ne awe if oA ye vye ak 
t a vy r 
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 267 





allow it to be used as a bedroom, at night. The bed- 
presses, in the other rooms, can have less expensive 


doors. A window is put in each bedpress, to secure | 


_ proper ventilation. These should be opened, to air 

the bed, on leaving it. These can be fitted up with 
shelves, pegs, and curtains, as before described. If the’ 
elevation of the first cottage be preferred to this, as 
being less expensive, it can be used, by altering it a 
little; thus, instead of the projection for the entry, 
make a slight projection, of the width of one brick, 
to preserve the same general outside appearance. Let 
the windows extend down to the floor, and the beauty 
of symmetry will also be preserved. 


Fig. 23. 
Ground-plan. a, Kintry. 
ZA b, Stairs 












Y LLL ELE ZED, 
e — ee | j Ac, Parlor, 16 
hy by 20 feet. 
. | d, Kitchen, 
14 by14 feet. 
— y e, Storecloset. 
ce < Up Ape 





g, Sinkroom. 
h, Closet. 
2, t, Fire- 


places. 
7 n, Cellar door 
ZB 
HY z, Sink. 
E77] <0 Ld 
Scale of Feet. 





SSSSHSSSSSSSSSSSSS 





Fig. 24, 


a, Stairs. 

6, Passage. 
c, c, c, Bed 
rooms. 

| d, d, d, d, 

Zi Closets. 
ye, €, Fire- 
Z| places. 

Af, Nursery. 

| g Room fox 

1 oung 
A al children, 


=—>- ae 
Cas jA——+-[ nx tices 
tetas odie 


¥ 





e 


‘The plans, bis in Fig. 23 and 24, are ae 
for families, where most domestic labor is to. be done 
without the aid of domestics. The parlor, ¢, i iS ; for a 
sitting-room, and for company. The room, d, is the 
eating-room ; where, also, the ironing and other nicer 
family work can be done. In the small room, g, either — 
~ an oven and boiler, or a cooking-stove, can be placed. | 3 
The elevation, shown in Fig. 25, is designed for the , 


ton of this house. 
Fig. 25. 









































































































































ae ie ee 
eee coxsraverion OF ‘wousEs 
mi A 


| “The raton Fig. 26, is ieinted for this 





Fig. o7 
ee cnan. 





b, b, Entry. 

bre Stairs, 

d, Parlor, 16 by 20 feet. 

é, ” Dining- -room, 15 by 16 mA 
feet. ii) aed 

f, Kitchen, 15 by 16 feet. ae 

£22523 Closets. 

h, Store-closet. 

; Back entry. 

jy Pantry. 

k, k, k, Fireplaces. 

x, Cellar stairs. 





iy 28. = 5 ~ 
‘4 
3 
: e 
- a, a, a, a, Bedrooms. : 
b, Stairs. a 
e c, c, Closets. Ex 
d, Passage. # 
e, €, e, Fireplaces. 
Y; Garret stairs. ‘ 








: - Fig. 29. ea ' 
Ss Ground-floor. bs Aa ie ie 
WWW 







J 0, Folding. 
q; =. GOOrRic | 
Pp, Pegs aye a 
over-gar- Ke 


ments. 
\ z, Cellar stairs 













Fig. 30. SNe he 
is * ~ Second Story.” : : 








\ a, a, a, 4. ae 
~ Bedrooms. _ 
by Biaiteg 
c, Passage. 
djd, a d,- 
; x Closets. et 
Ss my, Me, e, €, 6,01 ire- 

; places. 





ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. Q71. 


adapted to it. These also have a concealed staircase, 
for front and back use. If a nursery, or bedroom, is 
wished, on the ground-floor, the back parlor, e, can be 
taken ; in which case, the closets, 2, 7, are very useful. 


To prevent noise from reaching the front parlor, two. 


sets of folding-doors, each side of the passage, 0, could 
be placed. With this arrangement, these rooms could 
be used, sometimes as two parlors, opening into each 
other, by folding doors, and at other times, as a nursery 
and parlor. In this plan, the storeroom, f, and china- 
closet, 2, between the kitchen and eating-room, are a 
great convenience. 

Figures 31 and 32, present the plan of a Gothic 
cottage, which secures‘the most economy of labor and 
expense, with the greatest amount of convenience and 
comfort, which the writer has ever seen. . 


Fig. 31. 
























































| 





CN 2 


— 





| 











a Se ES 
10 26 60 
Scale of Feet. 


The elevation, (Fig. 31,) exhibits the front view. It 
has a recess in the central part, under which, is the 
door, with a window on each side of it. This forms a 
piazza; and into this, and a similar one at the back of 
the house, the two centre parlors open. 








In the centre of the house, (see Fig. 32,) are the 
two parlors, 6 and c; the back one to be used as an 
eating-room. At X, can be placed, either a chimney, 


with doors on each side of the fireplace, or, (which 1s— 


the most agreeable,) folding-doors, which can be thrown 
open in Summer, thus making a large saloon, through 
the house, from one piazza to the other. In this ease, 
the parlors are warmed by a large stove, set near the 


_folding-doors, which would easily warm both parlors 


and one or two adjacent rooms. In Winter, the out- 
side doors, opening to the piazzas, should be fastened 
and calked, and the side entry, at d, be used. At e, 
is the nursery, with the bedpress, g, which, being closed 


by day, makes a retired parlor for the mother. At at; 


is the children’s playroom and sleeping-room, adjoining 
the mother’s room. Atk, is the kitchen, adjacent to 
the eating-room, with the storeroom, e, aa the closets, 


m, m, one for the eating room, and one for the kitchen. 
utensils. At 2,1s a parlor, which. can be used for a | 
puay, or library, by the master of the family ; while the 











ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 273 
e 


adjacent bedpress, 7, renders it a convenient lodging- 


_. room, for guests. Another lodging-room, is at h; and 


in the attic, is space enough for several comfortable 

_ lodging-rooms. A window in the roof, on the front 
and back, like the one on Wadsworth’s Cottage, (Fig. 
33,) could be placed over the front door, to light the 
chambers in the attic. A double roof in the attic, with 
a current of air between, secures cool chambers. The 
closets are marked o, and the fireplaces p. The stairs 
to the attic are at g. By this arrangement, the house- 
keeper has her parlor, sleeping-room, nursery, and 
kitchen, on the same floor, while the rooms with bed- 
presses, enable her to increase either parlors or lodging- 
rooms, at pleasure, without involving the care of a very 
large and expensive house. 

Figure. 33, is the representation of a cottage, built by 
Daniel Wadsworth, sq., in the vicinity of Hartford, 
Connecticut ; and is on a plan, which, though much 
smaller, is very similar to the plan represented in_ Fig. 
32. It serves to show the manner in which the roofs 
should be arranged, in Fig. 31, which, being seen ex- 
actly in front, does not give any idea of the mode of 
this arrangement. ‘The elevation of Wadsworth’s cot- 
tage, could be taken for the ground-plan shown in Fig. 
32, if it be preferred to the other. 

Both this cottage, and all the other plans, require a 
woodhouse, and the conveniences connected with it, 
‘which are represented in Fig. 35, (page 276.) For 
these Gothic cottages, an appendage of this sort should 
be in keeping with the rest, having windows, like those 
in the little Summer-house in the drawing, and battle- 
ments, as on the top of the wings of the barn. The 
ornaments on the front of the cottage, and the pillars 
of the portico, made simply of the trunks of small 
trees, give a beautiful rural finish, and their expense is 

’ trifling. In this picture, the trees could notbe placed 
as they are in reality, because they would hide the 
buildings. 


Beh 
: a 
eae 
- 








ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 


274 


























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































> ‘ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 275, 


' In arranging yards and grounds, the house should be 
set back, as in the drawing of Wadsworth’s cottage ; 
and, instead of planting shade-trees in straight lines, or 
_seattering them about, as single trees, they should be 
arranged in clusters, with large openings for turf, flow- 
ers, and shrubbery, which never flourish well under the 
- shade and dropping of trees. This also secures spots 
of dark and cool shade, even when trees are young. 
In arranging shade-trees tastefully around such a 
place, a large cluster might be placed on each side of 
the gate; another on the circular grass-plot, at the side 
of the house; another at a front corner; and another 
at a back corner. Shrubbery, along the walks, and on 


the circular plot, in front, and flowers close to the 


house, would look well. - The barn, also, should have 
clusters of trees near it; and occasional single trees, 
on the lawn, would give the graceful ease and variety 
seen in nature. 

Figure 34, represents the accommodations for securing 
water with the least labor. It is designed for a well or 
cistern. under ground. ‘The reservoir, R, may be a 
half hogshead, or something larger, which may be filled 
ance a day, from the pump, by a man, or boy. ~ 


Fig. 34. 





FA 


P, Pump. L, Steps to use when pumping. R, Reservoir. G, 
Brickwork to raise the Re-ervoir. B, A large Boiler. F, Furnace, 
beneath the Roiler. €, Conductor of cold water. H, Conductor of 
hot water. K, Cock for letting cold water into the Boiler. S, Pipe 
to conduct cold water to a cock over the kitchen sink. T, Bathing- 
tub, which receives cold water from the Conductor, C, and hot water 
from the Conductor, H. JV, Partition separating the Bathing-room 
from the Wash-room. Y, Cock to draw off hot water. Z, Plug te 
yet of the water from the Bathing-tub into a drain. 














The conductor, C, should be a lead pip 
stead of going over the boiler, should be bent 
behind it. From S, a branch sets off, which « ; 
the cold water to the sink in the kvchen where it: dis- ' 
mare with a cock. H, isa conductor si : the low ee 











ae off hot water. Then the conductor passes: to chee 
bathing-tub, where is another cock. At Z, the water 
is let off from the bathing-tub. By this arrangement, 
great quantities of hot and cold water can be used, 
with no labor in seis and with very little. labor i in 
raising it. ae 

In case a cistern is built a: ground, it can er a 
placed as the reservoir is, and then all the Bolas Came 
pumping is saved. - Fen “ 


A, Boiler made fan? 

des nage iy a 

N B, athing-rot Pe : 
N C, Reservoir. 


\ F, Sink ae 
G, Kitchen. sets . 
H, Woodpile. — 
I, ‘Large doors 
J i,t, Binsforcoa . 
ashes. oh a 
_ O, Window. = 
FP, P, Privies. : a 
Noa, Bathing-tub 
\ y, Door. 





Scale of Feet. 


Fig. 35, is the plan of a building for backetooel 
shepulinodationy. At A, C, D, E, are accommoda — 
tions shown in Fig. 34. The bathing-room i is adjacent 2 
to the boiler and reservoir, to receive the water. a 






ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. Q77 


ble to healthful habits in a family. A window should 

__ be placed at O, and a door, with springs or a weight 

to keep it shut, should be at V. Keeping the window 
open, and the door shut, will prevent any disagreeable 
effects in the house. At G, is the kitchen, and at FP’, 
the sink, which should have a conductor and cock from 
the reservoir. H, is the place for wood, where it 
should in Summer be stored for Winter. A bin, for 
coal, and also a brick receiver, for ashes, should be in 
‘this part. Every woman should use her influence to 
secure all these conveniences; even if it involves the 
sacrifice of the piazza, or “the best parlor.” 











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Front View. Side View. 


Fig. 36, is a latticed portico, which is cheap, and 
answers all the purposes of a more expensive one. It 
should be solid, overhead, to turn off the rain, and 
creepers should be trained over it. A simple latticed 

24 D.E 








| arch } over a dor, covered with Hite | 


* ve 
Psi 





Tae eo 
Mee 


K, Kitchen ceiling. 






C, Parlor ceiling. 














Fig. 37, represents a sliding closet, or dumb waiter, | 
a convenience which saves much hee when the 
kitchen is in the basement. The two closets should 
___ be made wide, and broad enough to receive a comm« 
waiter. The chain, or rope, which passes over t 
wheels, should branch, at X, so as to keep the clos 
from rubbing in its movements, when the dishes a 





not set exactly in the middle, or are of unequal weights. 
- By this method, almost every thing needed to pass be- 
tween the kitchen and parlor can be sent up and down, 
without uny steps. If the kitchen is not directly under 
the eating-room, the sliding closet can be placed in the 
vicinity of one or both. Where the place is not wide 
enough for two closets like these, they can be made 
wider than they are long, say one foot and six inches 
long, and three feet wide. A strip of wood, an inch 
broad, should be fastened on the front and back of the 
shelves, to prevent the dishes from being broken when 
they are set on carelessly. 

There is nothing, which so much improves the ap- 
pearance of a house and the premises, as painting or 
whitewashing the tenements and fences. The follow- 
ing receipts for whitewashing, answer the same purpose 
for wood, brick, and stone, as oil-paint, and are much 
cheaper. ‘The first, is the receipt used for the Presi- 
dent’s house, at Washington, improved by further ex- 
periments. The second, is a cheaper one, which the 
writer has known to succeed, in a variety of cases, 
lasting as long, and looking as well, as white oil-paint. 


Receipt. 


Take half a bushel of unslacked lime, and slack it 
with boiling water, covering it, during the process. 
Strain it, and add a peck of salt, dissolved in warm 
water; three pounds of ground rice, boiled to a thin 
paste, put in boiling hot; half a pound of powdered 
Spanish whiting; and a pound of clear glue, dissolved 
in warm water. Mix, and let it stand several days. 


Heat it in a kettle, on a portable furnace, and apply | 


it as hot as possible, with a painter’s or whitewash- 
brush. 


Another. 
Make whitewash, in the usual way, except that the 


water used should: be hot, and nearly saturated with 
salt. Then stir in four handfuls of fine sand, to make 


ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES. 279 






















* 


CHAPTER XXV. 


ais 


ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. 
A sHat.ow fireplace saves wood, a gives out more 
heat than a deeper one. A false back, of eee 
be put up in a deep fireplace. Hooks, ‘for holding up - 
the shovel and tongs, a hearth-brush and bellows, and 
brass knobs to hang them on, should be furnished to — 
every fireplace. An iron bar, across the andirons, aids” 
in keeping the fire safe, and in good order. — Steel fur- 
-niture is more genteel, ‘and more easily kept in order, 
than that made of brass. 3 
Use green wood, for logs, and mix green and arp 
wood for the fire; and then the woodpile will last 
much longer. Walnut, maple, hickory, and oak, wood, 
are best, chestnut or hemlock is bad, because it snaps. 
Do not buy a load, in which there are many crooked — 
sticks. Learn how to measure and calculate the solid. 
contents of a load, so as not to be cheated. Have all 
your wood split, and piled under cover, for Winter. 
Have the green wood logs in one pile, dry wood in 
another, oven-wood in ae kindlings and chips in 
another, and a supply of charcoal to use for broiling 
and ironing, in another place. Have a brick bin, for 
ashes, and never allow them to be put in wood. When 
quitting fires, at night, never leave a burning stick — 
across the andirons, nor on its end, without quenching — 
‘it.’ See that no fire adheres to the broom or brush ; 
remove all articles from the fire, and* have two pails, 
filled with water, in the kitchen, where they will not 
freeze. . 





. 


ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. 281 


Stoves and Grates. 


Pion, heated by stoves, should always have some 
opening for the admission of fresh air, or they will be 
injurious to health. ‘The dryness of the air, which they 
occasion, should be remedied, either by placing a ves- 
sel, filled with water, on the stove, or by hooking a long 


+ 


and narrow pan, filled with water, in front of the grate ; ; 


otherwise, the lungs or eyes may be injured. A large 
number of plants in a room, prevents this dryness of the 
air. Openings for pipes, through floors, partitions, 
or fireboards, should be surrounded by tin, to prevent 
their taking fire. Lengthening a pipe, will increase its 
draught. 

For those, who use anthracite coal, that which 1s 
broken or screened, is best for grates, and the nut-coal, 
for small stoves. Three tons are sufficient, in the Mid- 


-dle States, and four tons in the Northern, to keep one 


fire through the Winter. ‘That which is bright, hard, « 


' and clean, is best; and that which is soft, porous, and 


covered with damp dust, is poor. It will be well to pro- 
vide two barrels of charcoal, for kindling, to every ton 
of anthracite coal. Grates, for bituminous coal, should 
have a flue nearly as deep as the grate; and the bars 
should be round, and not close together. The better 
draught there is, the less coal-dust is made. Every 
grate should be furnished with a poker, shovel, tongs, 
blower, coal-scuttle, and holder for the blower. The 
latter may be made of woollen, covered with old silk, 
and hung near the’ fire. 

Coal-stoves should be’ carefully put up, as cracks, in 
the pipe, especially in sleeping rooms, are dangerous. 


On Lights. 


~ Lamps are better than candles, as they give a steadier 

light, and do not scatter grease, like tallow candles. 

The best oil, is clear, and nearly colorless. Wunter- 

strained oil should be used in cold weather. Lard isa 

good substitute for oil, for astral and other large lamps. 
RA* D. E. 


aS ed gg SF ee vp ee =e ins 
Pee AE Lt Vee tn Med ateD eeu 
Ts 4 Pela} 


282: ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. — | 


It is cheaper, burns clearer, and has a less appa. : 


smell. It will not burn so well in small lamps, as in 
large ones. Melt it every morning, in an old tec 
kept for the purpose. Oil, long kept, grows thick, and — 
does not burn well. It is ‘therefore best not to buy at. 
in large quantities. It should never be left standing i in- 
lamps, for several days, as this spoils it, and often 1 injures 


the lamps. Camphine is a kind of oil manufactured in— 


New York, which does not smell disagreeably, nor make 
grease- spots, and gives a brighter light than the best 
oil. Cleanse the insides of lamps and oil-cans, with 
pearlash-water. Be careful to drain them well, and not 


to let any gilding, or bronze, be injured by the pearlash-— 


water coming in contact with it. Put one table-spoonful 
of pearlash to one quart of water. 

The care of lamps requires so much attention and 
discretion, that many ladies choose to do this work, 
themselves, rather than trust it with domestics. ‘To do 
rt properly, provide the following things:—An old 
waiter, to hold all the articles used; a lamp-filler, with 
a spout, small at the end, and turned up to prevent oil . 


from dripping; a ball of wickyarn, and a basket to — 


hold it; a lamp-trimmer, made for the purpose, or a 
pair of sharp scissors ; a small soap-cup and soap; some 


- 


pearlash, in a broad-mouthed bottle ; and several soft . 


cloths, to wash the articles, and towels, to wipe them. 


If every thing, after being used, is cleansed from oil, - 


and then kept neatly, it will not be so unpleasant a task, 
as it usually is, to take care of lamps. 

Wash the shade of an astral lamp, once a week, and 
the glass chimney oftener. Take the lamp to pieces, 





and cleanse it, once a month. Keep dry fingers,in 


trimming lamps. To raise the wick-of an astral lamp, 
turn it to the right; to lower it, turn it to the left. 
Trim it, after it has been. once used ; and, in lighting © 
it, raise it to the proper height, as soon as may be, or. 
it will either smoke, or form a crust. Renew the wick, 
when only an inch’ and a half long. Close-woven 


» ny 
$A 2-5 =) va ee 


wicks are better than those which are loose. Dipping 








wicks | in vinegar, makes them burn clearer than they 
otherwise would. Plain shades do not injure the eyes, 
like cut ones; and prints and pictures appear better by 
them, than by the others. Lamps should be lighted 
with a strip of folded or rolled paper, kept on the 
mantelpiece. Weak eyes should always be shaded 
from the lights. Small screens, made for the purpose, 
should be kept at hand. A person with weak eyes, 
can use them, safely, much longer, when they are 
shaded from the glare of the light, “than if they are not 
so. Fill the entry-lamp, every day, and cleanse and 
fill night-lanterns, twice a week, if used often. Pro- 
vide small, one-wicked lamps, to carry about; and 
broad-bottomed lamps, for the kitchen, as these are not 
easily upset. 

A good night-lamp is made, with a small one-wicked 
lamp and a roll of tin to set over it. Have some holes 


made in the bottom of this cover, and it can then be > 


used to heat articles. Very cheap floating tapers, can 
be bought, to burn in a teacup of oil through the night. 

Wickyarn, drawn repeatedly through melted wax, till 
stiff and smooth, makes a good taper, for use in seal- 
ing letters. It can be twined in fanciful forms, and 
kept on the writing-table. 


To make Candles. 


‘The nicest candles, are run in moulds. For this 
purpose, melt together one quarter of a pound of white 
wax, one quarter of an ounce of camphor, two ounces 
of alum, and ten ounces of suet or mutton tallow. Soak 
the wicks, in lime-water and saltpetre, and, when dry, 
fix them in the moulds, and pour in the melted tallow. 
Let them remain one night, te cool, then warm them, a 
little, to loosen them, draw them out, and, when hard, 
put them in a box, in a dry and cool place 

To make dipped candles, cut the wicks of the nght 
length, double them over rods, and twist them. They 
should first be dipped in lime-water, or vinegar, and 
dried. Melt the tallow in a large kettle, filling it 


ON FIRES AND LIGHTS. Ison 













on WASHING. 


Put in wax, “and: owisee eee to! ~ harden 
Keep the tallow hot, over a portable furnace, 
up the kettle, with hot water, as fast as the tal 
used up. Lay two long: strips of narrow board, on 
which to hang the rods; and set flat pans under on 
the floor, to eatch the grease. Take several rods a 
once, and wet the wicks in the tallow; and, when coo 
straighten and smooth them. ‘Then dip them, as fast as. 
: they cool, until they become of the proper size. Plunge’ 
them obliquely, and not perpendicularly ; ; and when 
the bottoms are too large, hold them in the hot grease, = 
till a part melts off. Niet them remain one night, to. 4 
cool; then cut off the bottoms, and keep them in a dry, 
cool place. Cheap lights are made, by dipping rushes — 
in tallow. 7 te a ee 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


4 
—— 


ON WASHING. | 


THERE is nothing, which tends more effectually to. 
secure good washing, than a full supply of all conveni- 
ences; and among these, none is more important, than — 
an abundance of warm and cold water: but, if this be _ 
obtained, and heated, at a great expense of time and ~ 
labor, it will be used in stinted measure. The accom- 
modations described on page 275, (ig. ee are bist, 4 
convenient in this respect. | 


ai 4 z 
aoe ae tar a OE cae eer RN ATT 









Articles to be provided for Washing. 


A plenty of soft water is a very important item. — 
When this cannot be had, ley or soda can be put in — 
hard water, to soften it; care being used not to putin — 
so much, as to injure he hands and clothes. Two — 
wash- Fava are needed; one for the two tubs in which — a 
to put the suds, and the other for blueing and (arching E 
tubs. Four tubs, of different sizes, are necessary ; also, _ , 


4 


tt a. et a riba Cr Beh oe, A Ie ee” haba gl "4 ae for, 

ice ge aE SR NN a es gene 
és: 7 © es vy det “ hae e op ‘§ A TE 

(34 : 3 awe ae 






ON WASHING. 285 


3 a large wooden dipper, (as metal is apt to rust ;) two or 
. three pails ; a grooved wash-board ; a clothes-line, (sea- 
_ grass, or horse-hair is best;) a wash-stick to move 
_ clothes, when boiling, and a wooden fork to take them 
- out. Soap-dishes, made to hook on the tubs, save soap 
and time. Provide, also, a clothes-bag, in which to 
boil clothes ; an indigo-bag, of double flannel ; a starch- 
strainer, of coarse linen ; a bottle of ox-gall for calicoes ; 
a supply of starch, neither sour nor musty; several 
dozens of clothes-pins, which are cleft sticks, used to 
_ fasten clothes on the line; a bottle of dissolved gum 
Arabic; two clothes-baskets; and a brass or copper 
kettle, for boiling clothes, as iron is apt to rust. A 
closet, for keeping all these things, is a great conveni- , 
ence. It may be made six feet high, three feet deep, 
and four feet wide. ‘The tubs and pails can be set on 
the bottom of this, on their sides, one within another. 
Four feet from the bottom, have a shelf placed, on 
- which to put the basket of clothes-pins, the line, soap- 
dishes, dipper, and clothes-fork. Above this, have 
another shelf, for the bottles, boxes, &c. The shelves 
should reach out only half way from the back, and nails 
should be put at the sides, for hanging the wash-stick, 
clothes-bag, starch-bag, and indigo-bag. The ironing- 
conveniences might be kept in the same closet, by hav- 
ing the lower shelf raised a little, and putting a deep 
drawer under it, to hold the ironing-sheets, holders, &c. 
A lock and key should be put on the closet. If the 
mistress of the family requests the washerwoman to 
notify her, when she is through, and then ascertains 
if all these articles are put in their places, it will prove 
useful. Tubs, pails, and all hooped wooden ware, 
should be kept out of the sun, and in a cool place, or 
they will fall to pieces. 


Common Mode of Washing. 


Assort the clothes, and put them in soak, the niglit 
before. Never pour hot water on them, as it sets the 
dirt. In assorting clothes, put the flannels in one lot, 





< So WASHING. 
the colored clothes in another, the coarse. white. nes 

in a third, and the fine clothes in a fourth lot. ~ Wash 

the fine clothes in one tub of suds ; ; and throw them, — 
when wrung, into another. ‘Then wash them, in the — 
second suds, turning them wrong side out. Put them : 
in the boiling-bag, and boil them in strong suds, for half — 
an hour, and not much more. Move these while boiling, ~ 
with the clothes-stick. ‘Take them out of the boiling- — 
bag, and put them into a tub of water, and rub the 
dirtiest. places, again, if need be. ‘Throw them into the ~ 
rinsing-water, and then wring them out, and put them 

into the blueing-water. Put ‘the articles to be stiffened, 
into a clothes-basket, by themselves, and, just before 
hanging out, dip them in starch, clapping it in, so 
as to have them equally stiff, in all parts. Hang white 
clothes in the sun, and colored ones, (wrong side out,) 
in the shade. Fasten them with clothes-pins. Then 
wash the coarser white articles, in the same manner. 
Then wash the colored clothes. These must not be 
soaked, nor have ley or soda put in the water, and they 
ought not to lie wet long before hanging out, as it in- 
jures their colors. Beef’s-gall, one spoonful to two 
pailfuls of suds, improves calicoes. Lastly, wash the 
flannels, in suds as hot as the hand can bear. Never 
rub on soap, as this shrinks them in spots. Wring them 
out of the first suds, and throw them into another tub 
of hot suds, turning them wrong side out. Then throw 
them into hot blueing-water. Do not put. blueing into ~ 
suds, as it makes specks in the flannel. Never leave 
flannels long in water, nor put them in cold or luke- 
warm water. Before hanging them out, shake and. 
stretch them. Some housekeepers have a close closet, 
made with slats across the top. On these slats, they 
put their flannels, when ready to hang out, and then — 
burn brimstone under them, for ten minutes. It is but 
little trouble, and keeps the flannels as white as new. 
Wash the colored flannels, and hose, after the white, 
adding more hot water. Some persons dry woollen 
hose on stocking-boards, shaped like a foot and leg, 


286 






Oia Pipe POE SR a il Hila ae iia aici te Ne me at a a 





es ‘ON WASHING. . QRT 
with strings to tie them on the line. This keeps them 
_ from shrinking, and makes them look better than if 
ironed. It is also less work, than to iron them properly. 
_ Bedding should be washed in long days, and in hot 
weather. Pound blankets in two different tubs or bar- 
rels of hot suds, first well mixing the soap and water. 
Rinse in hot suds; and, after wringing, let two persons 
shake them thoroughly, and then hang them out. If 
not dry, at night, fold them, and hang them out the 
_ hext morning. Bedquilts should be pounded in warm 
_ suds; and, after rinsing, be wrung as dry as possible. 
Bolsters and pillows can be pounded in hot suds, without 
taking out the feathers, rinsing them in fair water. It 
is usually best, however, for nice feathers, to take them 
out, wash them, and dry them ona garret floor. Cotton 
comforters should have the cases taken off and washed. 
Wash bedticks, after the feathers are removed, like 
other things. Empty straw beds once a year. . 

The following cautions, in regard to calicoes, are use- 
ful. Never wash them in very warm water; and 
change the water, when it appears dingy, or the light 
parts will look dirty. Never rub on soap; but remove 
grease with French chalk, starch, magnesia, or Wil- 
mington clay. Make starch for them, with coffee- 

water, to prevent any whitish appearance. Glue 1s 

good for stiffening calicoes. When laid aside, not to 

be used, all stiffening should be washed out, or they 
~ will often be injured. Never let calicoes freeze, in dry 
ing. Some persons use bran-water, (four quarts of 
wheat-bran to two pails of water,) and no soap, for cal- 
icoes ; washing and rinsing in the bran-water. Potato- 
water is equally good. Take eight peeled and grated 
potatoes to one gallon of water. 


Soda - Washing. 


A very great saving in labor is secured, by soda-wash- A 
ing. There have been mistakes made in receipts, and 
in modes of doing it, which have caused a prejudice 
aguinst it; but if the soap be rightly made, ane rightly 








WAS HING 





ON 


used, it certainly saves one half the labor and tine 
ordinary washing. ee ae ee 


r Receipt for Sod Sout 


Take eight pounds of bar-soap, eight pounds ‘oft dourast s 
soda, (the sub-carbonate,) ten gallons of soft wate 
- boiled two hours, stirring it often. This is to be cooled, 
and set away for use. In washing, take a pound of — 
this soap, to the largest pail of water, and heat till it 
boils. Having previously soaked the white clothes, i in 
warm, not hot, water, put them in this boiling mixture, 4 
and let them boil one hou and no more. Take them out, 
draining them well, and put them in a tub, half full of 
soft water. ‘Turn them wrong side out; rub the soiled a 
places, till they look clean; then put them into blue 
rinsing-water, and wring them. out. They are then | 4 
ready to hang out. Some persons use another rinsing- _ 
water. The colored clothes and flannels must not be 
washed in this way. ‘The fine clothes may be first 
boiled in this water; it may then be used for coarser 
clothes; and afterward, the brown towels, and other 
articles of that nature, may be boiled in the same water. 
After this, the water which remains, is still useful, for 
washing floors; and then, the suds is a good manure to < 
put around plants. a 

It is best to prepare, at once, the whole “fini of pe 
water to be used. Take out Hide one third, and set it 
by ; and every time a fresh supply of clothes is put in, 
use a portion of this, to sph y eh, the waste of a Tonnes | 
boiling. | 


Modes of Washing Various Articles. 


Brown Linens, or Muslins, of tea, drab, or olive, 
colors, look best, washed in hay-water. Put in hay 
enough, to color the water like new brown linen. 
Wash them first in lukewarm, fair water, without soap, 
(removing grease with French Seat then wash i 4 
rinse them in the hay-water. ae 

Nankeens look best, washed in suds, with a teacup 


ON WASHING. 889 





of ley added for each pailful. Iron on the wrong side. 

Soak new nankeens in ley, for one night, and it sets the 

color perfectly. 
Woollen Table-Covers and Woollen Shawls, may 
be washed thus: Remove grease as before directed. 
Tf there be stains in the articles, take them out with 
spirits of hartshorn. Wash the things in two portions 
_ of hot suds, made of white soap. Do not wring them, 
but fold them and press the water out, catching it in a 
tub, under a table. Shake, stretch, and dry, neither 
by the sun nor a fire, and do not let them freeze, in 
drying. Sprinkle them three hours before ironing, and 
fold and roll them tight. Iron them heavily on the wrong 
side. Woollen yarn, should be washed in very hot water, 
putting in a teacupful of ley, and no soap, to half a pail- 
ful of water. Rinse till the water comes off clear. 

New Black Worsted and Woollen Hose, should be 
soaked all night, and washed in hot suds, with beef’s- 
gall, a tablespoonful to half a pail of water. Rinse till 
no color comes out. Iron on the wrong side. 

To Cleanse Gentlemen’s Broadcloths. The common 
mode, is, to shake, and brush the articles, and rip out 
linings and pockets; then to wash them in strong suds, 
adding a teacupful of ley, using white soap for light 
cloth; rolling and then pressing, instead of wringing, 
them ; when dry, sprinkling them, and letting them lie all 
night ; and ironing on the wrong side, or with a thin dark 
cloth over the article, uhtil perfectly dry. But a far 
better way, which the writer has repeatedly tried, with 
unfailing success, is the following: Take one beef’s-gall, 
half a pound of salewratus, and four gallons of warm 
water. Lay the article on a table, and scour it thor- 
oughly, in every part, with a clothes-brush, dipped in 
this mixture. The collar of a coat, and the grease-spots, 
(previously marked by stitches of white thread,) must 
be repeatedly brushed. Then, take the article, and 
rinse it up and down in the mixture. ‘Then, rinse it 
up and down in a tub of soft cold water. Then, with- 
out wringing or pressing, hang *t to drain and dry. 

20 D. E. 










a eng ATSipfay Wits am ae Un 


290 - ON -WASHING 


auien a coat up by the collar. When uke re - 
it is sometimes the case, with coats, that nothing more — 
is needed. In other cases, it is necessary to dampen b 
the parts, which look wrinkled, with a sponge, -and- 
either pull them smooth, with the fingers, or press them 
with an iron, having a piece of bombazine, or Arar 
woollen cloth, between the iron and the article. 


er 
De 


in 
To panafactuve Ley, Soap, Starch, and other Articles used 4 
in Washing. - * 


To make Ley. Provide a large tub, made of mee Ci 
or ash, and set it on a form, so high, that a tub can. ‘ 
stand under. it. Make a hole, an inch in diameter, 
near the bottom, on one side. Lay bricks, inside, about 
this: hole, and straw over them. To every seven — 
bushels of ashes, add two gallons of unslacked lime,and. 
throw in the ashes and lime in alternate layers, While — 
putting in the ashes and lime, pour on boiling water, — 
using three or four pailfuls. After this, add a’ pailful 
of cold soft water, once an hour, till all the ashes appear — 
to be well soaked. . Catch the drippings, in a tub, and 
‘try its strength with an egg. If the egg rise so as to 
show a circle as large as a ten cent piece, the strength 
is right; if it rise higher, the ley must be. weak- — 
ened by water; if; not so high, the ashes are not ~~ 
good, and the whole process must be repeated, putting — 
in fresh ashes, and running the weak ley through the q 
new ashes, with some additidnal water. Quick-ley is 
made by pouring one gallon of boiling soft water on 
ee quarts of ashes, and straining it. Oak ashes are 
est 

To make Soft-Soap. Save all drippings and fat, 
melt them, and set them away, in cakes. Some per- _ 
sons keep, for soap-grease, a half barrel, with weak ley 
in it, anda cover over it. .To make soft-soap, take — 
the proportion of one pailful of ley to three pounds of 
fat. Melt the fat, and pour in the ley, by degrees, — 
Boil it steadily, through the day, till it is ropy. If nox 
boiled enough, on cooling, it will turn to ley and sedi. 


| 
j 
4 
; 
7 
: 





- ON WASHING. 291 





“ment. While boiling, there should always be a little 


be oil on the surface. If this does not appear, add more 


grease. If there is too much grease, on cooling, it will 
_ rise, and can be skimmed off. ‘Try it, by cooling a 
_ smallquantity. When it appears like gelly, on becommeg 
Cold, it is done. It must then be put in a cool place 
and often stirred. | 

To make cold Soft-Soap, melt thirty pounds of grease 
put it in a barrel, add four pailfuls of strong ley, anc 
stir it up thoroughly. Then gradually add more ley 
till the barrel is nearly full, and the soap looks about right. 

To make Potash-Soap, melt thirty-nine pounds of 
grease, and put it in a barrel. Take’ twenty-nine 
pounds of light ash-colored potash, (the reddish- 
colored will spoil the soap,) and pour hot water on it; 
then pour it off into the grease, stirring it well. Con- 
tinue thus, till all the potash is melted. Add one pail- 
ful of cold water, stirring it a great deal, every day, till 
the barrel be full, and then it is.done. This is the 
cheapest and best kind of soap. It is best to sell ashes 
and.buy potash. ‘The soap is better, if it stand a year 
before it is used; therefore make two barrels at once. 

To make Hard White Soap, take fifteen pounds of 
_ lard, or suet; and, when boiling, add, slowly, five 
gallons of ley, mixed with one gallon of water. Cool 
a small portion; and, if no grease rise, it 1s done: 
if grease do rise, add ley, and boil till no grease rises. 
Then add three quarts of fine salt, and boil it; if this 
do not harden well, on cooling, add more salt. Cool 
it, and if it is to be perfumed, melt it next day, put in 
the perfume, and then run it in moulds, or cut it in 
cakes. Common Hard Soap, is made in the same way, 
by using common fat. 

To manufacture Starch, cleanse a peck of unground 
wheat, and soak it, for several days, in soft water. 
When quite soft, remove the husks, with the hand, and 
the soft parts will settle. Pour off the water, and re- 
place it, every day, with that which is fresh, stirring it 
well. When, after stirring and settling, the water 1s 


‘ eral oe: af Dede che oe cee pie pa a dp Oh A YS ates ge 
ne BP ral gers 
ar 4 hh, Om 6 











292 ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. ‘ 


clear, it is done. Then strain off the wate dia, d 
the StF. for several days, in the sun. If the water be 
permitted to remain too long, it sours, and the starch is - 
poor. If the starch be not r well dried, it grove aUusty, 


sg 
penee si Se 
“ bert as 
a meee i rs 


CHAPTER XXVUL 


ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. 


a 


To prepare Starch. ‘Take four cabléepocnfall OF  : 
starch ; put inas much water ; and rubit, tillalllumpsare 
removed. Then, add half a cup of cold water. Pour — 
this into a quart of boiling water, and boil it for halfan 
hour, adding a piece of spermaceti, or a lump of salt, 
or sugar, as large as a hazelnut. Strain it, and put in a 
a very little blueing. Thin it with hot water. . a 

Glue and Gum-Starch. Put a piece of glue, four 
inches square, into three quarts of water, boil it, and 
keep it in a bottle; corked up. Dissolve four ounces 
of gum Arabic, in a quart. of hot water, and set it — 
away, in a bottle, corked. Use the glue for calicoes, 
and the gum for silks and muslins, both to be mixed i 
with water, at discretion. : 

Beef? s-Gall, Send a junk-bottle to the butcher, 
and have several gall-bladders emptied into it. Keep 
it salted, and ina cool place. Some persons perfume 4 
it; but fresh air removes the unpleasant smell which it 
gives, when used for clothes. 


Directions for Starching Muslins and Laces. 


Many ladies clap muslins, then dry them, and after- : 
wards sprinkle them. This saves time. Others clap 
them, till nearly dry, then fold and cover, and then iron — 
them. Iron wrought muslins on soft flannel, and on 
the wrong side. ye 
To do up Laces, nicely, sew a clean piece of muslin 
around a long bottle, and roll the lace on it; vulling 


e 









ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. 293 


Fa : out the edge, and rolling it so that the edge will turn 


in, and be covered, as you roll. Fill the bottle with 


__water, and then boil it, for an hour, in a suds made with 


white soap. Rinse it in fair water, a little blued; dry 
it in the sun; and, if any stiffening is wished, use thin 
starch, or gum Arabic. When dry, fold and press it, 
between white. papers, in a large book. It improves 
the lace, to wet it with sweet-oil, after it is rolled on the 
bottle, and before boiling in the suds. Blond laces 
can be whitened, by rolling them ona bottle, in: this 
way, and then setting the bottle in the sun, in a dish of 
cold suds made with white soap, wetting it thoroughly, 
and changing the suds, every day. Do this, for a week 
or more; then rinse, in fair water; dry it on the bottle, 
in the sun; and stiffen it with white gum Arabic. Lay 
it away in loose folds. Lace veils can be whitened, by 
laying them in flat dishes, in suds made with white 
soap; then rinsing, and stiffening them with gum 
Arabic, stretching them, and pinning them on a sheet, 


to dry. 
ON IRONING. 


Articles to be provided for Ironing. 


A settee, or settle, made so that it can be used for an 
ironing-table, is a great convenience. It may be made 
-of pine, and of the following dimensions: length, five 
feet and six inches ; width of the seat, one foot and nine 
inches ; height of the seat, one foot and three inches; 
height of the sides, (or arms of the seat,) two feet and four 
inches ; height of the back, five feet and three inches. 
The back should be made with hinges, of the height of 
the sides or arms, so that it can be turned down, and rest 
on them, and thus become an ironing-table. The back 
is 10 be fastened up, behind, with long iron hooks and 
staples. The seat should be made with two lids, open- 
ing into two boxes, or partitions, in one of which, can 
be kept the ironing-sheets and holders, and in the other, 
the other articles used in ironing. It can be stained 
of a cherry-color ; put on casters, so as to move easily ; 

20* aes D. E 









294 ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. 


and be provided with two cushions, stuffed. with hay 
and covered with dark woollen. It thus serves as a 
comfortable seat, for Winter, protecting the back from 3 
cold. ae 
Where a settee, of this description, is not souiied, a. % 
large ironing-board, made so as not to warp, should be © 
kept, and used only for this purpose, to be laid, when 
used, on a table. Provide, also, the following articles : 
A woollen ironing-blanket, and a linen or cotton sheet, _ 
to spread over “it; a large fire, of charcoal and hard aS 
wood, (unless furnaces or stoves are used ;) a hearth, +4 
— free for cinders and ashes, a piece of -sheet-iron, in 
front of the fire, on which to set the irons, while heat- 
ing; (this last saves many black spots from careless 
ironers ;) three or four holders, made of woollen, ‘and 
~ covered with old silk, as these do not easily take fire; 
two iron rings, or iron-stands, on which to set the irons, — 
and small pieces of board to put under them, to prevent 
scorching the sheet ; linen or cotton wipers ; anda piece 
of beeswax, to rub on the irons when they are smoked. 
There should be, at least, three irons for each person 
ironing, and a small and large clothes-trame, on which 
to air the fine and coarse clothes. | 
A bosom board, on which to iron shirt-bosoms, shoatd 
be made, one footrand a half long, and nine inches 
wide, and covered with white flannel, A skirt-board ~ 
on eich to iron frock-skirts, should be made, five feet 
long, and two feet wide at one end, tapering to one 
foot and three inches wide, at the other end. ‘This 
should be covered with firinale and will save much 
trouble, in ironing nice dresses. The large end may 
be put on the table, and the other, on the back of a 
chair. Both these boards should have cotton covers, 
made to fit them; and these should be changed and 
washed, when dirty. ‘These boards are often useful, 
when articles are to be ironed or pressed, ina chamber 
or parlor. Provide, also, a press-board, for broadcloth, 
two feet long, and tour pabes wide at one ones ley ae: ; 4 
ing to three inches wide, at the other. 
E 







ON STARCHING, IRONING, AND CLEANSING. 295 


A fluting-iron, called, also, a patent Italian iron, 
saves much labor, in ironing ruffles neatly. A crimp- 
__‘mg-iron, will crimp ruffles beautifully, with very little 
_ time or trouble. Care must be used, with the latter, or 
tt will cut the ruffles. A trial should be made, with 
____ old muslins ; and, when the iron is screwed in the right 
___ place, it must be so kept, and not altered without leave 
_ from the housekeeper. If the lady of the house will 
___ provide all these articles, see that the fires are properly 
"made, the ironing-sheets evenly put on and properly pin- 
_ ned, the clothes-frames dusted, and all articles kept in their 

places, she will do much towards securing good ironing. 


On Sprinkhng, Folding, and Ironing. 


Wipe the dust from the ironing-board, and lay it 
down, to receive the clothes, which should be sprinkled 
with clear water, and laid in separate piles, one of 
colored, one of common, and one of fine articles, and one 
of flannels. Fold the fine things, and rell them in a 
towel, and then fold the rest, turning them all right side 
outward. The colored clothes should be laid separate 
from the rest, and ought not to lie long damp, as it in- 
jures the colors.. T’he sheets and table linen should be 
shaken, stretched, and folded, by two persons. Iron lace 
and needle-work on the wrong side, and carry them away, 
as soon as dry. Iron calicoes_ with irons which are not 
very hot, and generally on the right side, as they thus 

-keep clean for a longer time.. In ironing a frock, first 
do the waist, then the sleeves, then the skirt. Keep 
the skirt rolled, while ironing the other parts, and set a 
chair, to hold the sleeves, while ironing the skirt, unless a 
skirt-board be used. In ironing a shirt, first do the back, 
then the sleeves, then the collar and bosom, and then 
the front. fren silk on the wrong side, when quite 
damp, with an iron which is not very hot. Light 
colors are apt to change and fade. Iron velvet, by 
turning up the face of the iron, and after dampening 
the wrong side of the velvet, draw it over the face of 
the iron, holding it straight, and not biased ) 


296 ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. 






" ae 4 he » i . 
Bale F. ees sits ; 
, Fou 


CHAPTER XXVUR ea ee 
ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING, 


To Whiten Articles, and Remove Stains from them. 


- Wer white clothes in suds, and lay them on the 


grass, in the sun. Lay muslins in suds made with 


white soap, in a flat dish ; set this in the sun, changing a 


the suds, every day. Whiten tow-cloth, or brown 
linen, by keeping it in ley, through the night, laying it" 


out in the sun, and wetting it with fair yg as fast as 


it dries. | 

Scorched articles can often be whinbned again, by | 
laying them in the sun, wet with suds. Where this 
does not answer, put a pound of white soap m a gallon 
of milk, and boil the article in it. Another methed, is, 
to chop and extract the juice from two onions, and boil 


_this with half a pint of vinegar, an ounce of white soap, 


and two ounces of fuller’s earth. -Spread this, when 
cool, on the scorched part, and, when dry, wash it off, in 
fair water. Mildew may be removed, by dipping the’ 
article in sour buttermilk, laying it in the sun, and, 
after it is white, rinsing it in fair water. Seap and 
chalk are also good ; also, soap and starch, adding half _ 
as much salt as there is starch, together with the juice 

ofa lemon. Stains in linen can often be removed, by — 
rubbing on soft soap, then putting on a stareh paste 

and drying in the sun, renewing it several times. Wash 
off all the soap and starch, in cold, fair water. ! 


Mixtures for Removing Stains and Grease. 


~ Stain-Micture. Half an ounce of oxalic acid; in 2 
pint of soft water. This can be kept ina corked bottle — 
and is mfallible in removing iron-rust, and ink-stains 
[t is very poisonous. ‘The article must be spread with 
this mixture over the steam of hot water, and wet 
several times. This will also remove indelible ink 






¥ 


a 


3 
Be 

: 

iz 


_ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. 297 


ake article must be washed, or the mixture will in- 


: jure if, 


Another Stain-Mixture is made, by mixing one ounce 
of sal ammoniac, one ounce of salt of tartar, and one 
pint of soft water. 

To-remove Grease. Mix four ounces of fuller’s 


earth, half an ounce of pearlash, and lemon-juice 


enough to make a stiff paste, which can be dried in 


balls, and kept for use. Wet the greased spot with 


cold water, rub it with the ball, dry it, and then rinse it 
with fair cold water. This is for white articles. For 
silks, and worsteds, use French chalk, which can be 
procured of the apothecaries. That which is soft and 
white, is best. Scrape it on the greased spot, and let it 
lie for a day and night. Then renew it, till the spot 
disappears. Wilmington clay-balls, are equally good. 
Ink-spots can often be removed from white clothes, 
by rubbing on common tallow, leaving it for a day or 
two, and then washing, as usual. Grease can be taken 
out of wall-paper, by making a paste of potter’s clay, 


water and ox-gall, and spreading it on the -paper 


When dry, renew it, till the spot disappears. 

Stains on floors, from soot, or stove-pipes, can be 
removed, by washing the spot in sulphuric acid and 
water. Stains, in colored silk dresses, can often be 
removed, by pure water. ‘Those made by acids, tea, 


"wine, and fruits, can often be removed, by spirits of — 
: hartshorn, diluted with an equal quantity of water, 


Sometimes, it must be repeated, several times. | 
Tar, Pitch, and Turpentine, can. be removed, by 
putting the spot in sweet-oil, or by spreading tallow on 
it, and letting it remain for twenty-four hours. ‘Then, 
if the article be linen or cotton, wash it, as usual; if it 
be silk or worsted, rub it with ether, or spirits of wine. 
Lamp- Oil can be removed, from floors, carpets, and 
other articles, by spreading upon the stain a paste, made 
of fuller’s earth or potter’s clay, and renewing it, when 
dry, till the stain is removed. If gall be put ito the 
paste, it will preserve the colors from injury. When 








298 ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND D 


the stain has been removed, carefully brush off the 


paste, with a soft brush. 


Oil-Paint can be removed, by rubbing it with en 


pure spirits of turpentine. The i Impure spirit leaves a 
grease-spot. Wax can be removed, by scraping it off, 


und then holding a red-hot poker near the spot. “Sper 
_ maceti may be removed by scraping it off, then putting 


a paper over the spot, and applying a warm iron. ‘If 
this does not answer, rub on spirits of wine. 


Ink--Stains,; in carpets and. woollen . pic RAN, " 


can be removed, by washing the. spot in a liquid, com- 


posed of one teaspoonful of oxalic acid dissolved in a 


teacupful of warm (not hot) water, and then rinsing in 
cold water. : 
Stains on Varnished Articles, which are eens by 
cups of hot water, can be removed, by rubbing them 
with lamp-oil, and ‘then with. alcohol. Ink-stains can 
be taken out. of mahogany, by one teaspoonful of oil 


of vitriol mixed with one tablespoonful of water, or by’ 


oxalic acid and water. ‘These must be brushed over 
quickly, and then washed off with milk. 


Modes of Cleansing Various Articles. 
Silk Handkerchiefs and Ribands can be cleansed, 


by using French chalk to take out the grease, and then 3 
sponging them, on both sides, with lukewarm fair water. 


Stiffen them with gum Arabic, and press them between 
white paper, with an iron not very hot. <A. table- 
spoonful of spirits of wine to three quarts of water, 
improves it. 

Stlk Hose, or Silk Gloves, shania be ‘alee in warm 
suds made with white soap, and rinsed in cold water; 
they should then be stretched and rubbed, with a hard- 
rolled flannel, till they are quite dry. Ironing them, 
very much: injures their looks. Wash-leather articles 


should have the grease removed from them, by French 
chalk, or magnesia; they should then be washed in 


warm suds, and rimsed in cold water. White Kid 
Gloves should have the grease removed from them, as 


d ner on ~ 
ee” Soe 













ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. 299 


_ above directed. They should then be brushed, with a 
soft brush, and a mixture of fuller’s earth and mag- 
nesia. Tn an hour after, rub them with flannel, dipped 
in bran amd powdered whiting. Colored or Hoskin’s 
gloves can be cleansed very nicely by diluted spirits of 
hartshorn, put on with a woollen cloth, and rubbed 
from wrist to fingers. Hang them for several days in 
the air, and all the unpleasant smell will be removed. 
Gentlemen’s white gloves should be washed with a 
sponge, in white-soapsuds; then wiped, and dried on 
the hands. Swan’s-down tippets, and capes, should be 
washed in white-soapsuds, squeezing, and not rub- 
bing them; then rinse them in two waters, and shake 
and stretch them while drying. Ostrich feathers can 
also be thus washed. Stiffen them, with starch, wet in 
cold water and not boiled. Shake them in the air, till 
nearly dry, then hold them before the fire, and curl 
them with dull scissors, giving each fibre a twitch, turn- 
ing it inward, and holding it so for a moment. 
‘Straw-and Leghorn Hats, can be cleansed, by simply 
washing them in white-soapsuds. Remove grease, by 
French chalk, and stains, by diluted oxalic acid, or 
cream of fay cir. The saale acid is best, but must be 
instantly washed off. Zo whiten them, drive nails in a 
barrel, near its bottom, so that cords can be stretched 
across. On these cords, tie the bonnet, wet with suds, 
(having first removed the grease, stains, and dirt.) 
Then invert the barrel, over a dish of coals, on which 
roll brimstone is slowly burning. Puta chip under one 
side of the barrel, to admit the air. Continue this, till 
the bonnet is white ; then hang it in the air, (when the 
weather is not damp, ) till. the smell is removed. Then 
stiffen it with a solution of isinglass or gum Arabic, 
put on the inside, with a sponge. Press the crown, on 
a block, and the rest on a board, on the right side, put- 
ting muslin between the: iron and straw, and pressing 
hard. Be careful not to make it too stiff. First, stiffen 
a small piece, for trial. 





300 ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. 


« 


ON COLORING. 


Precautions and Preparations. 


All the articles must be entirely free from grease or 
oil, and also, in most cases, from soapsuds. Make | 
light dyes in brass, and dark ones in iron, vessels ‘AL. 3 


ways wet the articles, in fair water, before dyeing. 
Always carefully strain the dye. If the color be too 
light, dry and then dip the article again. Stir the 


article well in the dye, lifting it up often. Remove 
any previous color, by boiling» in suds, or, what is bet-_ 


ter, in the soda mixture used for washing. 


Pink Dye. Buy a saucer of carmine, at an apoth- 
ecary’s. With it, you will find directions for its use. 


This is cheap, easy to use, and beautiful. Balm blos- 
soms and Bergamot blossoms, with a little cream of 
tartar in the water, make a pretty pink. 


Red Dye. Take half a pound of wheat _ — 


ounces of powdered alum, and two gallons of soft 
water. Boil these in a brass vessel, and add an ounce 
of cream of tartar, and an ounce of cochineal, tied up 
together in a bag. Boil the mixture for fifteen mimutes, 
then strain it, and dip the articles. Brazil wood, set 
with alum, makes another red dye. oie 


Yellow Dye. Fustic, turmeric powder, saffron, 


barberry-bush, peach-leaves, or marigold flowers, make 
a yellow dye. Set the dye with alum, putting a piece 
the size of a large hazelnut to each quart of water. 
Light Blue Dye, for silks and woollens, is made with 
the ‘blue composition,’ to be procured of the hat- 
makers ; fifteen drops to a quart of water. Articles 
dipped in this, must be thoroughly rised. For a 
dark blue, boil four ounces of copperas in two gallons 
of water. Dip the articles in this, and then in a strong 
decoction of logwood,. boiled and stramed. ‘Then 
Hai them thoroughly 3 in soapsuds. 
Green Dye. First color the article yellow; and 







ye, ee ae fer ee SE ae ae et oie eee ee eee efk iced aie ee Pa iy en eee Ue ahs.” We ees 
OCS ee aay Ne Wag i ‘ Pie ct : enn 






ON WHITENING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING. 301 


then, if it be silk or woollen, dip it in ‘blue composi 
tion.’ Instead of ironing, rub it with flannel, while 
drying. 

Salmon Color is made by boiling arnotto or anotta in 
‘soapsuds. 

Buff Color is made.by putting one sfeaouptul of pot 
ash, tied in a bag, in two gallons of hot (not boiling) 
water, and adding an ounce of arnotto, also in a bag, 
keeping it in for half an hour. First, wet the article 
in strong potash-water. Dry and then rinse in soap- 
suds. Birch bark and alum also make a buff. Black 
alder, set with ley, makes an orange color. 

Dove and Slate Colors, of all shades, are made by 
boiling, in an iron vessel, a teacupful of black tea, with 
a teaspoonful of copperas. Dilute this, till you get the 
shade wanted. Purple sugar-paper, boiled, and set 
with alum, makes a similar color. 

Brown Dye. Boil half a pound of camwood (in a 
bag) in two gallons of water, for fifteen minutes. Wet 
the articles, and boil them for afew minutes in the dye. 
White-walnut. bark, the bark of sour sumach, or of 
white maple, set with alum, make a brown color. 

Black Dye. Let one pound of chopped logwood 
remain all night in one gallon of vinegar. Then boil 
them, and put in a piece of copperas, as large as a 
hen’s egg. Wet the articles in warm water, and put 
them in the dye, boiling and stirring them for fifteen 
minutes. Dry them, then wet them in warm water, 
and dip them again. Repeat the process, till the arti- 
cles are black enough. Wash them in suds, and rinse 
them till the water comes off clear. Iron nails, boiled 
in vinegar, make a black dye, which is good for restor- 
ing rusty black silks. 

Olive Color. - Boil fustic and yellow-oak bark to- 
gether. ‘The more fustic, the brighter the olive; the 
more oak bark, the darker the shade. Set the light 
shade with a few drops of oil of vitriol, and the dark 
shade with copperas. 

26 D. E. 


eS aie Sie ate ee 4 eS Oe _ . 
be. ea) Be an > pee a 5 

i - Te 

y + ' 


302 





CHAPTER XXIX. ees a 
ON THE CARE OF phnianel 


_ ly selecting the furniture of parlors, some reference — 
should be had to correspondence of shades and colors. 
Curtains should be darker than the walls; and, if the 
walls and carpets be light, the chairs should be dark, 


and vice versa. Pictures always look best on ee a 


walls. 

In selecting carpets, for rooms much used, it is poor 
- economy to buy cheap ones. Ingrain carpets, of close 
texture, and the three-ply carpets, are best for common 
use. Brussels carpets do not wear so long as the three- 
ply ones, because they cannot be turned. Wilton 
carpets wear badly, and Venetians are good win ise 
halls and stairs. 

In selecting colors, avoid those in which there are 
any black theeads: as they are always rotten. The 
most tasteful carpets, are those, which are made of va- — 
rious shades of the same color, or of all shades of only 
two colors; such as brown and yellow, or blue and 
buff, or salmon and green, or all shades of green, or of 
brown. All very dark shades should be brown or 
green, but not black. 

In laying down carpets, it is-a bad practice to wise 
straw under them, as this makes them wear out in spots. - 
Straw matting, laid. under carpets, makes them. last 
much longer, as it is smooth and even, and the dust 
sifts through it. In buying carpets, always get a few 
yards over, to allow for waste in matching figures. , 

In cutting carpets, make them three or four inches 
shorter than the room, to allow for stretching. Begin 
to cut in the middle of a figure, and it will usually 
match better. Many carpets match in two different 
ways, and care must be taken to get the right one. 
Sew a carvet on the wrong side, with double waxed 








ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. 303° 


thread, and with the ball-stitch.. This is done : taking 
a stitch on the breadth next you, pointing the needle 
towards you ; and then taking a stitch on the other 
breadth, pointing the needle from you. Draw the 
thread tightly, but not so as to pucker. In fitting a 
breadth to the hearth, cut slits in the right place, and 
turn the. piece under. Bind the whole of the carpet, 
with carpet-binding, nail it with tacks, having bits of 
leather under the heads. To stretch the carpet, use a 
carpet-fork, which is a long stick, ending with notched 
tin, like saw-teeth. This is put in the edge of~the 
carpet, and pushed by one person, while the nail is 
driven by another. Cover blocks, or bricks, with. car- 
peting, like that of the room, and put them behind 
tables, doors, sofas, &c., to preserve the walls from 
injury, by knocking, or by the dusting-cloth. 

Cheap footstools, made of a square plank, covered 
with tow-cloth, stuffed, and then covered with carpet- 
ing, with worsted handles, look very well. Sweep 
carpets as seldom as possible, as it wears them out. 
To shake them often, is good economy. In cleaning 
carpets, use damp tea leaves, or wet Indian meal, 
throwing it about, and rubbing it over with the broom. 
The latter, is very good for cleansing carpets made dingy 
by coal-dust. In brushing carpets in ordinary use, 
it will be found very convenient to use a large flat dust- 
pan, with a perpendicular handle a yard high, put on 
so that the pan will stand alone. ‘This can be carried 
about, and used without stooping, brushing dust into it 
with a common broom. The pan must be very large, 
or it will be upset. 

When carpets are taken up, they should be hung on 
a line, or laid on long grass, and whipped, first on one 
side, and then on the other, with pliant whips. If laid 
sapighes they should be pared up tight, in linen, having 
snuff or tobacco put along all the crevices where moths 
could enter. Shaking pepper, from a pepper-box, 
round the edge of the. floor, under a carpet, prevents 
the access of moths. 






304 ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. 


Carpets can be best washed on the Aiea thus: “Firs rst 
shake them; and then, after cleaning the’ floor, stretch 
and nail them upon it. Then scrub them in cold soap- 
suds, having half a teacupful of ox-gall to a bucket of 
water. Then wash off the suds, with a cloth, in fair — 
water. Set open the doors and windows, for two days 
or more. Imperial Brussels, Venetian, ingrain, and — 
three-ply, carpets, can be washed thus; but Wilton, and 
other plush-carpets, cannot. Before washing them, take 
out grease, with a paste, made of potter’s clay, ox-gall, 
and water. 

‘Straw matting is best for chambers and Suerte 
parlors. The checked, of two colors, is not so good 
to wear. ‘The best, is the cheapest in the end. When 
washed, it should be done with salt water, wiping it 
dry ; but frequent washing injures it. Bind matting 
with cotton binding. Sew breadths together like car 
peting. In joining the ends of pieces, ravel out a 
_ part, and tie the threads together, turning under a little 
of each piece, and then, laying the ends close, nail 
them down, with nails having kid under their heads, 

In hanging pictures, put them so that the lower part 
shall be opposite the eye. Cleanse the glass of pictures 
with whiting, as water endangers the pictures.. Gilt 
frames can be much better preserved by putting on a 
coat of copal varnish, which, with proper brushes, can 
be bought of carriage or cabinet-makers. When dry, 
it can be washed with fair water. Wash the brush in 
spirits of turpentine. 

Curtains, ottomans, and sofas covered with worsted, 
can be cleansed, by wheat-bran, rubbed on with flan- 
nel. Dust Venetian blinds with feather brushes. Buy 
light-colored ones, as the green are going out of fash- 
ion. Strips of linen or cotton, on rollers and pulleys, 
are mtch in use, to shut out the sun from curtains and 
carpets. Paper curtains, pasted on old cotton, are good 
for chambers. Put them on rollers, having cords nailed 
to them, so that when the curtain falls, the cord will be 
wound up. Then, by pulling the cord, the curtain 
will be rolled up. 


e 





ON THE CARE OF PARLORS. 305 


_ “Mahogany furniture should be made in the Spring, 
‘and stand some months before it is used, or it will 
shrink and warp. Varnished furniture should be 
rubbed only with silk, except occasionally, when a 
little sweet-oil should be rubbed over, and wiped off 
carefully. For unvarnished furniture, use beeswax, a 
little softened with sweet-oil; rub it in with a hard 
brush, and polish with woollen and silk rags. Some 
persons rub in linseed-oil ; others mix beeswax with a 
little spirits of turpentine and rosin, making it so that 
it can be put on with a sponge, and wiped off with a 
soft rag. Others, keep in a bottle the following 
mixture; two ounces of spirits of turpentine, four 
tablespoonfuls of sweet-oil, and one quart of milk. 
This is applied with a sponge, and wiped off with a 
linen rag. 

Hearths and jambs, of brick, look best painted over 
with blacklead, mixed with soft-soap. Wash the bricks 
which are nearest the fire with redding and milk, using 
a painter's brush. A sheet of zinc, covering the whole 
hearth, is cheap, saves work, and looks very well. A 
tinman can fit it properly. 

Stone hearths should be rubbed with a paste of pow- 
dered stone, (to be procured of the stonecutters,) and 
then brushed with a stiff brush. Kitchen-hearths, of 
stone, are improved by rubbing in lamp-oil. 

Stains can be removed from marble, by oxalic acid 
and water, or oil of vitriol and water, left on fifteen 
minutes, and then rubbed dry. Gray marble is im- 
proved by linseed-oil. Grease can be taken from mar- 
ble, by ox-gall and potter’s clay wet with soapsuds, (a 
gill of each.) It is better to add, also, a gill of spirits 
of turpentine. It improves the looks of marble, to 
cover it with this mixture, leaving it two days, and then 
rubbing it off. eh 

Unless a parlor is in constant use, it is best to sweep 
it only once a week, and at other times use a whisk- 
broom and dust-pan. When a parlor with handsome 
furniture is to be swept, cover the sofas, centre table, 

26* e D. E. 





306 - ON THE CARE OF — 


piano, books, and mantelpiece, with old cottons, kept om 
for the purpose. Remove the rugs, and shake them, 


and clean the jambs, hearth, and fire-furniture. Then — 


sweep the room, moving every article. Dust the fur- 
niture, with a dust-brush and a piece of old silk. A 
painter’s brush should be kept, to remove dust from 
ledges and crevices. The dust-cloths should be often 
shaken and washed, or else they will soil the walls and 
furniture when they are used. Dust ornaments, and 
fine books, with feather brushes, kept for the purpose. 


CHAPTER XXX. eet. a 
ON THE CARE OF BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS.— 


An eating-room should have in it a large closet, with 
drawers and shelves, in which should be kept all the 
articles used at meals. This, if possible, should com- 
municate with the kitchen, by a sliding window, or by 
a door, and have in ita window, and also a small sink, 
made of marble or lined with zinc, which will be a 
great convenience for washing nice articles. If there’ 
be a dumb-waiter, it is best to have it connected with 
such a closet. It may be so contrived, that, when it is 
down, it shall form part of the closet floor. 

A table-rug, or crumb-cloth, is useful to save carpets 
from injury. Bocking, or baize, is best. Always spread 
the same side up, or the carpet will be soiled by the 
rug. 'Table-mats are needful, to prevent injury to the 
table from. the warm dishes. 'Teacup-mats, or small 
plates, are useful to save the table-cloths from dripping 
tea or coffee. Butter-knives, for the butter-plate, and 
salt-spoons, for salt-dishes, are designed to prevent 
those disgusting marks which are made, when persons 
use their own knives, to take salt or butter. _ A sugar- 
spoon should be kept in or by the sugar-dish, for the 
same purpose. 'Table-napkins, of diaper, are often laid 


* 





Te ae 
ore 


BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS. 307 


| by each person’s plate, for use during the meal, to save 
the tablecloth and pocket-handkerchief. To preserve 
_ the same napkin for the same person, each member of , . 


the family has a given number, and the napkins are 


numbered. to correspond, or else are slipped into ivory 


rings, which are numbered. A stranger hasa clean one, 
at each meal. ‘Tablecloths should be well starched, and 


ironed on the right side, and always, when taken off, 


folded in the ironed creases. Doilies are colored nap- 
kins, which, when fruit is offered, should always be fur- 
nished, to prevent a. person from staining a nice handker- 
chief, or permitting the fruit-juice to dry on the fingers: 

Casters and salt-stands should be put in order, every 


morning, when washing the breakfast things. Always, if 


possible, provide fine and dry table-salt, as many persons 
are much disgusted with that which is dark, damp, and 
coarse. Be careful to keep salad-oil closely corked, or 
it will grow rancid. Never leave the salt-spoons in the 


salt, nor the mustard-spoon in the mustard, as they are 


thereby injured. Wipe them, immediately after the 
meal. 

For table-furniture, French china is deemed the 
nicest, but it is liable to the objection of having plates, 
so made, that salt, butter, and similar articles, will not 


_lodge on the edge, but slip into the centre. Select 


knives and forks, which have weights in the handles, 
so that, when laid down, they will not touch the table. 
Those with rivetted handles last longer than any others. 
Horn handles (except buckhorn) are very poor. The 
best are cheapest in the end. Knives should be sharp- 
ened once a month, unless they are kept sharp by the 
mode of scouring. 


On Setting Tables. 


Neat housekeepers observe the manner in whicha 
table is set more than any thing else; and to a person 
of good taste, few things are more annoying, than to see. 
the table placed askew ; the tablecloth soiled, rumpled, 
and put on awry; the plates, knives, and dishes thrown 











~6308 3 ON THE CARE OF 


about, without any order; the pitchers pila on he 


enteric! and sometimes within + the tumblers dim ; the F 


_ caster out of order; the butter pitched on the plate, 
without any symmetry ; ; the salt coarse, damp, and dark ; 
the bread cut in a mixture of junks and slices ; ‘the. 
dishes of food set on at random, and without mats; tne 
knives dark .or rusty, and their handles greasyy the 
tea-furniture all out of order, and every thing in similar 
style. And yet, many of these negligences will be met 
with, at the tables of persons who call themselves well 
bred, and who have wealth enough to make much out- 
side show. One reason for this, is, the great difficulty 
of finding domestics, who will attend to these things in 
a proper manner, and who, after they have been re- 
peatedly instructed, will not neglect nor forget what 
has been said to them. ‘The writer has known cases, 
where much has been gained by placing the following 
rules in plain sight, in the place where the articles’ for 
setting tables are kept. 


Fiules for setting a Table. 


1. Lay the rug square with the room, and also sitet 
and even; then ‘set the table also square with the room, 
and see that the leos are in the right position to ie ee): 
the leaves. 

2. Lay the tablecloth square with the table, iii 
side up, smooth, and even. 

3. Put on the teatray (for birBalefaaae or ten) square 
with the table; set the cups and saucers at the front 
side of the teatray, and the sugar, slop-bowls, and cream- 
cup, at the back side. Lay the sugar-spoon or tongs 
on the sugar-bowl. 

4. Lay the plates around the table, at equal intervals, 
and the knives and forks at regular distances, each in 
the same particular manner, with a cup-mat, or cup- 
plate, to each, and a napkin at the right side of each ~ 
Berson. 

. If meat be used, set the caster and salt-cellars i in 
ae. centre of the table ; then lay mats for the dishes, 





eee es 
a si 


BREAKFAST AND DINING-ROOMS. 309 


and place the carving-knife and fork and steel by the 
_ master of the house. Set the butter on two plates, 
- one on either side, with a butter-knife by each. 


6. Set the tea or coffee-pot on a mat, at the right 
hand of the teatray, (if there be not room upon it.) 
Then place the chairs around the table, and call the 
family. 

' For Dinner. 


‘1. Place the rug, table, tablecloth, plates, knives and 
forks, and napkins, as before directed, with a tumbler 
by each plate. In cold weather, set the plates where 
they will be warmed. 

2. Put the caster in the centre, and the salt-stands 
at two oblique corners, of the table, the latter between 
two large spoons crossed. If more spoons be needed, 
lay them on each side of the caster, crossed. Set the 
pitcher on a mat, either at a side-table, or, when 
there is no waiter, on the dining-table. Water looks 
best in glass decanters. | 

3. Set the bread on the table, when there is no 
waiter. Some take a fork, and lay a piece on the nap- 
kin or tumbler by each plate. Others keep it in a 
tray, covered with a white napkin to keep off flies. 
Bread for dinner is often cut in small junks, and not in 
slices. 

4, Set the principal dish before the master of the 
house, and the other dishes in a regular manner. Put 
the carving-knife, fork, and steel, by the principal dish, 
and also a knife-rest, if one be used. 

5. Put a small knife and fork by the pickles, and 
also by any other dishes which need them. Then place 
the chairs. 

On Waiting at Table. * 


A domestic, who waits on the table, should be required 
to keep the hair and hands in neat order, and have on 
acleanapron. A small tea-tray should be used to carry 
cups and plates. The waiter should announce the meal 
(when ready) to the mistress of the family, then stand 


é 





Poet ia ae Riera a aan Date EE ni 







z 


810 ON THE CARE OF 


by the eating-room door, till all are in, then close the 





door, and step to the left side of the lady of the house. x Te 
When all are seated, the waiter should remove the Bs 


covers, taking care first to invert them, so as not to 
drop the steam on the tablecloth or euests. In pre- 
senting articles, go to the left side of the gets Th 
pouring water never entirely fill the tumbler. | The 
waiter should notice when bread or water is wanting, 
and hand it without being called. When plates are 
changed, be careful not to drop knives or forks. Brush 
off crumbs, with a crumb-brush, into a small waiter. 
- When there is no domestic waiter, a light table 
should be set at the left side of the mistress of the 
house, on which the bread, water, and other articles 
not in immediate use, can be placed. 


On Carving and Helping at Table. 


It is considered an accomplishment for a lady to 
know how to carve well, at her own table. It is not 
proper to stand in carving. The carving-knife should 
be sharp and thin. To carve fowls, (which should 
always be laid with the breast uppermost,) place the — 
fork in the breast, and take off the wings and legs 
without turning the fowl; then cut out the merry 
thought, cut slices from the breast, take out the collar 
bone, cut off the side pieces, and then cut the carcass 
in two. Divide the joints in the leg of a turkey. 

In helping the guests, when no choice is expressed, 
give a piece of both the white and dark meat, with 
some of the stuffing. Inquire whether the guest will 
be helped to each kind of vegetable, and put the gravy 
on the plate, and not on any article of food. 

In carving a sirloin, cut thin slices from thie’ sia 
next to you, “(it must be put on the dish with the tender- 
loin underneath ;) then turn it, and cut from the tender- 
loin. Help the guest to both kinds, : 

In carving a leg of mutton, or a ham, begin by cubiae 
across the middle, to the bone. Cut a tongue across, 
and not lengthwise, and help from the middle part. . 


* 





7 
a 
; 

F 
P 


t é 
CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. 311 


. a Cares a forequarter of lamb, by separating the 


shoulder from the ribs, and then dividing the ribs. 
To carve a loin of veal, begin at the smaller end and 
separate the ribs. Help each one toa piece of the kidney 
and its fat. Carve pork and mutton in the same way. 
_ To carve a fillet of veal, begin at the top, and help 
to the stuffing with each slice. In a breast of veal, 
separate the breast and brisket, and then cut them up, 
asking which part is preferred. In carving a pig, it is 
customary to divide it, and take off the head, before it 
comes to the table; as, to many persons, the head is 
very revolting. Cut off the limbs, and divide the ribs. 
In carving venison, make a deep incision down to the 
bone, to let out the juices; then turn the broad end of 
the haunch towards you, cutting deep, in thin slices. 
For a saddle of venison, cut from the tail towards the 
other end, on each side, in thin slices. Warm plates 


are very necessary, with venison’and mutton, and in 


Winter, are desirable for all meats. 


CHAPTER XXXI 


ON THE CARE OF CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. 


Every mistress of a family should see, not only that 
all sleeping-rooms in her house can be well ventilated at 
night, but that they actually are so. Where there is no 
open fireplace to admit the pure air from the exterior, 
a door should be left open into an entry, or room where 
fresh air is admitted; or else a small opening should 
be made in a window, taking care not to allow a 
draught of air to cross the bed. The debility of 
childhood, the lassitude of domestics, and the ill-health 
of families, are often caused by neglecting to provide a 
supply of pure air. Straw matting is best for a cham- 
ber carpet, and strips of woollen carpeting may be laid 


ROSS 
312 ON THE CARE OF 


by the side of the bed. Where chambers have no 
closets, a wardrobe is indispensable. This is a move- 
able closet, with doors, divided, by a perpendicular par- — 
tition, into two apartments, In ane division, rows of — 
hooks are placed, on which to hang dresses. The 


other division is fitted up with shelves, for other uses. 


Some are made with drawers at the bottom for shoes, _ 
and such like articles. A low square box, set on casters, 
with a cushion on the top, and a drawer on one side to 


put shoes in, is a great convenience in dressing the feet. 
An old champaigne basket, fitted up with a cushion on 


the lid, and a valance fastened to it to cover the — 


can be used for the same purpose. 


A comfortable couch, for chambers and sities 


can be made by a common carpenter, at a small expense. 


Have a frame made (like the annexed engraving, Fig. | 


38,) of common stuff, six feet long, twenty-eight inches 
wide, and twelve inches high. It must be made thus 


low, Bech une the casters and cushions will raise it several 


inches. Have the sloping side-piece, a, and head-piece, 
6, sawed out of a board; nail brown linen on them, and 
stuff them with soft hay or hair. Let these be screwed 
to the frame, and covered with furniture patch. Then 
let slats be nailed across the bottom, as at c, c, four 
inches apart. This will cost two or three dollars. 
Then make a thick cushion, of hay or straw, with side 
strips, like a mattress, and lay this for the under-cushion. 
To put over this, make a thinner cushion, of hair, cover 
it with furniture-calico, and fasten to it a valance reach- 


ing to the floor. ‘Then make two square pillows, and. 


cover them with calico, like the rest. Both the cush- 
ions should be stitched through like mattresses. 








a ae 


~ 


Be ' 


CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. 318 





‘The writer has seen a couch of this kind, in a com 
mon parlor, which cost less than eight dollars, was 

much admired, and was a constant comfort to the 

feeble mother, as well as many other members of thie 

| family. | 

| ‘Another convenience, for a room where sewing is 
done in Summer, is a fancy-jar, set in one corner, to 
receive clippings, and any other rubbish. It can be 
covered with prints, or paintings, and varnished ; and 
then looks very prettily. 

‘The trunks in a chamber can be improved in looks 
and comfort, by making cushions of the same size and 
shape, stuffed with hay and covered with chintz, with 
a frill reaching nearly to the floor. 

Every bedchamber should have a washstand, bowl, 
pitcher, and tumbler, with a washbucket under the 
stand, to receive slops. A light screen, made like a 
clothes-frame, and covered with paper or chintz, should 
be furnished for bedrooms occupied by two: persons, 
so that ablutions can be performed in privacy. It can 
be ornamented, so as to look well anywhere. A little 
frame, or towel-horse, by the washstand, on which to 
dry towels, is a convenience. A washstand should be 
furnished with a sponge or washcloth, and a small 
towel, for wiping the basin after using it. This should 
be hung on the washstand or towel-horse, for constant 
use. A soap-dish,and a dish for toothbrushes, are neat 
and convenient, and each person should be furnished 
with two towels; one for the feet, and one for other 
purposes. 

It is in good taste to have the curtains, bedquilt, val- 
ance, and window-curtains, of similar materials. In 
making featherbeds, side-pieces should be put in, like 
those of mattresses, and the bed should be well filled, 
so that a person will not be buried in a hollow, which is 

_ not healthful, save in extremely cold weather. Feather- 
beds should never be used, except in cold weather. At 
other times, a thin mattress of hair, cotton and moss, or 


straw, should be put over them. A simple strip of 
27 D. E. 


3l4 _ ON THE CARE OF 





broad straw matting, spread over a featherbed, answers 


the same purpose. Nothing is more debilitatmg, than, 
in warm weather, to sleep with a featherbed pressing — 
round. the greater part of the body. Pillows stuffed 
with papers an inch square, are good for Summer, es- 
pecially for young children, whose heads should be kept 
cool. The cheapest and best covering of a bed, for 
Winter, is a cotton’ comforter, made to contain three or 


four pounds of cotton, laid.in batts or sheets, between 


covers tacked together at regular intervals. They 
should be three yards square, and less cotton should be 
put at the sides that are tucked in. It is better to have 
two thin comforters, to each bed, than one thick one ; 
as then the covering can be regulated according te 
the weather. 

Few domestics will make a bed properly, without 
much attention from the mistress of the family. The 
following directions should be given to those, who do 
this work. 

Open the windows, and lay off the uiecueeal on 
two chairs, at the foes of the bed. After the bed is 
well aired, shake the feathers, from each corner to the 
middle ; then take up the middle, anc. shake it well, 
and turn the bed over. Then push the feathers in 
place, making the head higher than the foot, and the 
sides even, and as high as the middle part. Then put 
on the bolster and the under sheet, so that the wrong 
side of the sheet shall gonext the bed, and the marking 
come at the head, tucking in all around. Then put 
on the pillows, even, so that the open ends shall come 
to the sides of the bed, and. then spread on the upper 
sheet, so that the wrong side shall be next the blankets, 
and the marked end at the head. ‘This arrangement 
of sheets is to prevent the part where the feet he from 
being reversed, so as to come to the face, and also to 
prevent the parts soiled by the body, from coming to 
the bedtick and blankets. ‘Then put on the other 
covering, except the outer one, tucking in all around, 
and then turn over the upper sheet, at the head, so as 







4 
5 
by 
5: 
i 
os 


CHAMBERS AND BEDROOMS. 315 


____ to show a part of the pillows. When the pillow-cases 


are clean and smooth, they look best ouvside of the 


cover, but not otherwise. Then draw the hand along 


the side of the pillows, to make an even imdentation, 


and then smooth and shape the whole outside. A nice 


housekeeper always notices the manner in which a bed 


is made; and in some parts of the Country, it is ret 


to see this work properly performed. 


- The writer would here urge every mistress of @ 


family, who keeps more than one domestic, to provide 
them with single beds, that they may not be obliged to 
sleep with all the changing domestics, who come and 
go so often. Where the room is too small for two 
beds, a narrow truckle-bed under another, will answer. 
Domestics should be furnished with washing conve- 
niences in their chambers, and be encouraged to keep 
their persons and rooms neat and in order. 


On Packing and Storing Articles. 


Fold a gentleman’s coat, thus :—Lay it on a table 
or bed, the inside downward, and unroll the collar. 
Double each sleeve once, making the crease at. the 
elbow, and laying them so as to make the fewest 
wrinkles, and parallel with the skirts. ‘Turn the fronts 
over the back and sleeves, and then turn up the skirts, 
making all as smooth as possible. 

Fold a shirt, thus :—One that has a bosom-piece in- 
serted, lay on a bed, bosom downward. Fold each _ 
sleeve twice, and lay it parallel with the sides of the 
shirt. Turn the two sides, with the sleeves, over the 
middle part, and then turn up the bottom, with two 
folds. This makes the collar and bosom Jie, unpressed, 
on the outside. : 

Fold a frock thus :—-Lay its front downward, so as to 
make the first creases in folding come in the side breadths. 
To do this, find the middle of the side breadths by first put- 
ting the middle of the front and back breadths together. 
Next, fold over the side creases so as just to meet the slit 
behind. Then fold the skirt again, so as to make the backs 


816 ON THE CARE OF THE 








lie tovether within and the fronts without.. Then eeriige ~ Bes 


the waist and sleeves, and fold the skirt around them. 
Jn packing trunks, for travelling, put all ens . 
articles at the bottom, covered with paper, which 
should not be printed, as the ink rubs off. Put coats 
and pantaloons into linen cases, made for the purpose, 
and furnished with strings. Fill all crevices with small 
articles; as, if a trunk is not full, nor tightly packed, 
its contents will be shaken about, ‘and get injured. A. 
thin box, the exact size of the trunk, with a lid, and cov- 
ered with brown linen, is-a great convenience, to set in- 
side,on the top of the trunk, to contain light articles which 
would be injured by tight packing. Have straps, with 
buckles, fastened. to the inside, near the bottom, long 


enough to come up and buckle over this box. By this _ 


means, when a trunk is not quite full, this box can be 
strapped over so tight, as to keep the articles from 
rubbing. Under-clothing packs closer, by being” rolled 
tightly, instead of being folded. 

Bonnet-boxes, made of light wood, with a lock and 
key, are better than the paper bandboxes so annoying 
to travellers. Carpet bags are very useful, to carry the 
articles to be used on a journey. ‘The best ones have 
sides inserted, iron rims, and a lock and key. A large — 
silk travelling-bag, with a double linen lining, in which 
are stitched receptacles for toothbrush, combs, and other 
small articles, is a very convenient article for use when 
travelling. 

A bonnet-cover, made of some thin material, like a 
large hood with a cape, is useful to draw over the bon- 
net and neck, to keep off dust, sun, and sparks from a 
steam engine. Green veils are very apt to stain bon- 
nets, when damp. 

In packing household furniture, for moving, have 
each box numbered, and then have a book, in which, 
as each box is packed, note down the number of the 
box, and the order in which its contents are packed, as 
this will save much labor and perplexity when unpack- 
ing. In packing china and glass, wrap each article, 






KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. 317 


ae separately, in paper, and put soft hay or straw at bot- 
tom and all around each. Put the heaviest articles 


at the bottom; and on the top of the box, write, “This 
side up.” 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


__ON THE CARE OF THE KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. 


_ IF parents wish their daughters to grow up with good 
domestic habits, they should/have, as one means of secur- 
ing this result, a neat and cheerful kitchen. <A kitchen 
should always, if possible, be entirely above ground, 
and well lighted. It should have a large sink, with a 
drain running under ground, so that all the premises 
may be kept sweet and clean. If flowers and shrubs 


_be cultivated, around the doors and windows, and 


the yard near them be kept well turfed, it will add 
very much to their agreeable appearance, ‘The walls 
should often be cleaned and whitewashed, to promote 
a neat look and pure air. The floor of a kitchen 
should be painted, or, which is better, covered with an 
oilcloth. To procure a kitchen oilcloth as cheaply as 
possible, buy cheap tow cloth, and fit it to the size and 
shape of the kitchen. Then have it stretched, and 
nailed to the south side of the barn, and, with a brush, 
cover it with a coat of thin rye paste. When this is 
dry, put on a coat of yellow paint, and let it dry fora 
fortnight. It is safest to first try the paint, and see if it 
dries well, as some paint never will dry. Then put on 
a second coat, and at the end of another fortnight, a 
third coat. Then let it hang two months, and it will 
last, uninjured, for many years. The longer the paint is 
left to dry, the better. If varnished, it will last much longer. 

A sink should be scalded out every day, and occa- 
sionally with hot ley. On nails, over the sink, should 
be hung three good dish-cloths, hemmed, and furnished 
with loops; one for dishes not greasy, one for greasy 

o7* | D. Fy, 





318 3 ON THE CARE OF THE > 


dishes, and one for washing pots and eben: These as 
should be put in the wash every week. The lady who in- 


sists upon this, will not be annoyed by having her dishes 


washed with ‘duals; musty, and greasy, rags, as Is too 


frequently the case. “ 
Under the sink should be kept a slop-pail ; and, on 


’ ashelf by it, a soap-dish and two water-pails. A large | 


boiler, of warm soft water, should always be kept over 
the fire, well covered, and a hearth-broom and bellows 
be hung near. the fire... A clock is.a very important 
article in the kitchen, in order to secure regularity at 
meals. 


| On Washing Dishes. — 
No item of domestic labor is so frequently done in a 


negligent manner, by domestics, as this. A full supply 
of conveniences, will do much toward a remedy of this 


evil. A swab, made of strips of linen, tied to a stick, 


is useful to wash nice dishes, especially small, deep 
articles. Two or three foils. and three dish slots: 
should be used. Two large tin tubs, painted on the 
outside, should be provided ; one for washing, and one 
for rinsing; also, a large old waiter, on which to drain 
the dishes. A soap-dish, with hard soap, and a fork, 
with which to use it, a slop-pail, and two pails for 


water, should also be furnished. ‘Then, if there be 


danger of neglect, the following rules for washing 
dishes, legibly written, may be hung up by the sink, 
and it will aid in promoting the desired care and neat- 
ness. 


Rules for Washing Dishes. 


1. Scrape the dishes, putting away any food whick 
may remain on them, and which it may be proper to 
save for future use. Put grease mto the grease-pot, 
and whatever else may be on the plates, into the slop- 
pail. Save tea-leaves, forsweeping. Set all the dishes, 
when scraped, in regular piles; the smallest at the top. 


2. Put the nicest articles in the wash-dish, and wash i 


them in hot suds, with the swab or nicest dish-cloth. 
Wipe all metal articles, as soon as thev are washed. 






~ 





; é 
KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. 319 


Put all the rest into the rinsing-dish, which should be 

filled with hot water. When they are taken out, lay 
them to drain on the waiter. Then rinse the dish- 
cloth, and hang it up, wipe the articles washed, and 
put them in their places. | 
_ 3. Pour in more hot water, wash the greasy dishes 
with the dish-cloth made for them; rinse them, and 
set them to drain. Wipe them, and set them away. 
Wash the knives and forks, being careful that the 
handles are never put in water ; wipe them, and then 
lay them in a knife-dish, te be scoured. 
_4. Take a fresh supply of clean suds, in which, wash 
the milk-pans, buckets, and tins. Then rinse and hang 
up this dish-cloth, and take the other; with which, 
wash the roaster, gridiron, pots, and kettles. Then 
wash and rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up. Empty 
_ the slop-bucket and scald it. Dry metal teapots and 
tins before the fire. Then put the fireplacé in order, 
and sweep and dust the kitchen. 

Some persons keep a deep and narrow vessel, in 

which to wash knives with a swab, so that a careless 
domestic cannot lay them in the water while washing 
them. This article can be carried into the eating-room, 
“to receive the knives and forks, when they are taken 
from the table. 


Kitchen Furniture. 


Crockery. Brown earthen pans are said to be best, 
for milk and for cooking. ‘Tin pans are lighter, and 
more convenient, but are too cold for many purposes. 
Tall earthen jars, with covers, are good to hold butter, 
salt, lard, &c. Acids should never be put into the red 
earthen ware, as there is a poisonous ingredient in the 
glazing, which the acid takes off. Stone ware is better, 
and stronger, and safer, every way, than any other kind. 

Tron Ware. Many kitchens are very imperfectly 
supplied with the requisite conveniences for cooking. 
When a person has sufficient means, the following 
articles are all desirable. A nest of iren pots, of dif- 


- 320 ON THE CARE OF THE 


ferent sizes, (they should be slowly heated, whe « new - ie 






a long iron ‘fork, to take out articles from boiling water ; 
an iron hook, with a handle, to lift pots from the erane ; 
a large and ‘small gridiron, with grooved bars, and a 


trench to catch the grease; a Dutch oven, enliend; alse: a 


a bakepan ; two skillets, of different sizes, and a spider, 


or flat skillet, for frying; a griddle, a waffle-iron, tin — 


and iron bake and bread-pans ; two ladles; of different 


sizes; a skimmer ; iron skewers; a toastingsron; two 


teakettles, one small and one large one ; two ‘brass 
kettles, of different sizes, for . soap-boiling, &ec. Tron 
kettles, lined with porcelain, are better for preserves. 
The German are the best. Too hot a fire will crack 
them, but with care in this respect, pais will last for, 
many years. 

Portable furnaces, of iron or clay, are very inaiefelh in 
Summer, in washing, ironing, and stewing, or making 
preserves. If used in the house, a strong draught must 
be made, to prevent the deleterious effects of the char- 
coal. A box and mill, for spice, pepper, and coffee, are 
needful to those who use thesearticles.. Strong knives. 
and forks, a sharp carving-knife, an iron cleaver and 
board, a fine saw, steelyards, chopping-tray and knife, 


an apple-parer, steel for sharpening knives, sugar-nip- 


pers, a dozen iron spoons, also a large iren one with a 
long handle, six or eight flatirons, one of them very 
small, two iron-stands, a ruffle-iron, a crimping-iron, are 
also eae | 
Tin Ware. Bread-pans, large and small pattypans, - 
cake-pans, with a centre tube to imsure them baking 
well, pie-dishes, (of block-tin,) a covered butter-kettle, 
covered kettles to hold berries, two sauce-pans, a large 
oil-can, (with a cock,) a lamp-filler, a lantern, broad- 
bottomed candlesticks for the kitchen, a candle-box, a 
funnel or tunnel, a reflector, for baking warm cakes, 
an oven or tin-kitchen, an apple-corer, an apple-roaster, 
an egg-boiler, two sugar-scoops, and flour and meal- 
scoop, a set of mugs, three dippers, a pint, quart, and 
gallon measure, a set of scales and weights, three or 
four pails, painted on the outside, a slop-bucket, with a 





KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND ‘STOREROOM. 321 


tight cover, painted on the outside, a milk-strainer, a 
gravy-strainer, a colander, a dredging-box, a pepper- 
box, a large and small grater, a box, in which to keep 


cheese, also a large one for cake, and a still larger one — 


for bread, with tight covers. Bread, cake, and cheese, 
shut up in this way, will not grow dry as in the open air. 

Wooden Ware. <A nest of tubs, a set of pails and 
bowls,:a large and small sieve, a beetle for mashing po- 
tatoes, a spad or stick for stirring butter and sugar, a 
bread-board, for moulding bread and making piecrust, 
a coffee-stick, a clothes-stick, a mush-stick, a meat- 
beetle to pound tough meat, an egg-beater, a ladle for 
working butter, a bread-trough, (for a large family,) 
flour-buckets, with lids to hold sifted flour and Indian 
meal, salt-boxes, sugar-boxes, starch and indigo-boxes, 
spice-boxes, a bosom-board, a skirt-board, a large 
iIroning-board, two or three clothes-frames, and six 
dozen clothes-pins. 

Basket Ware. Baskets, of all sizes, for eggs, fruit, 
marketing, clothes, &c.; also chip-baskets. When 
often used, they should be washed in hot suds. 

Other Articles. Every kitchen needs a box con- 
taining balls of brown thread and twine, a large and 
small darning needle, rolls of waste-paper and old 
linen and cotton, and a supply of common holders. 
There should also be another box, containing a ham- 
mer, carpet-tacks, and nails of all sizes, a carpet-claw, 
screws and a screw-driver, pincers, gimlets of several 
sizes, a bed-screw, a small saw, two chisels, (one to use 
for button-holes in broadcloth,) two awls, and two files. 

In a drawer, or cupboard, should be placed, cotton 
tablecloths, for kitchen use, nice crash towels, for 
tumblers, marked, T T'; coarser towels, for dishes, 
marked, T'; six large roller-towels; a dozen hand- 
towels, marked, H TT’; and a dozen hemmed dish- 
cloths, with loops. . Also, two ‘thick linen pudding or 
dumpling-cloths, a gelly-bag, made of white flannel, 
to strain gelly, a starch-strainer, and a bag for boiling 
clothes. 


a 


we 


used in cleansing. 


Tae Se Ry EES nade Or, a 
' joo 

: Se = 

ER eg 

‘. s 





822 ‘ON THE CARE OF THE 


In a closet, should be kept, arranged in ey ‘the 
following articles: the dust- -pan, dust-brush, and dust- 
ing-cloths, old flannel and ‘cotton for scouring and — 
rubbing, sponges for washing windows and looking- _ 
glasses, a long brush for cobwebs, and another for oh 
washing the outside of windows, whisk-brooms, com- | 
mon brooms, a coat-broom or biel a whitewash-brush, __ 
a Htewe-brosh: shoebrushes and blacking, articles for ee 
cleaning tin and silver, leather for cleaning metals, — 
bottles containing stain-mixtures, and other articles 


ON THE CARE OF THE CELLAR. ke? Soe 


A cellar should often be whitewashed, to keep it 
sweet. It should have a drain, to keep it perfectly 
dry, as standing water, in a cellar, is a sure cause of 
disease in a family. It is very dangerous to leave de- 
cayed vegetables in a cellar. Many a fever has been 
caused, by the poisonous miasm thus generated. The 
following articles are desirable in a cellar: a safe, or i 
moveable closet, with sides of wire or perforated tin, — 
in which cold meats, cream, and other articles should 
be kept; (if ants be troublesome, set the legs in tin 
cups of water ;) a refrigerator, or large wooden box, on 
feet, with a lining of tin or zinc, and a space between 
the tin and wood filled with powdered charcoal, having 
at the bottom, a place for ice, a drain to carry off the 
water, and also moveable shelves and partitions. In 
this, articles are kept cool. It should be cleaned, once 
a week. Filtering jars, to purify water, should also be 
kept in the cellar. Fish and cabbages, in a cellar, are 
apt to scent a house, and give a bad taste to other 
articles. 


STOREROOM. 


Every house needs a storeroom, in which to keep 
tea, coffee, sugar, rice, candles, &c. It should be fur- 
nished with jars, having labels, a large spoon, a fork, 
sugar and flour-scoops, a towel, and a dish-cloth. — 






ON KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND STOREROOM. 9323. 


Modes of destroying Insects and Vermin. 
eRediues should be kept away, by filling every chink 


"in the bedstead with putty, and, if it be old, painting it 


t 


over. Of all the mixtures for killing them, corrosive 
sublimate and alcohol is the surest. This is a strong 
poison. 

Cockroaches may be destroyed, by pouring boiling 
water into their haunts, or setting a mixture of 
arsenic, mixed with Indian meal and molasses, where 
they are found. Chloride of lime and sweetened 
water will also poison them. 

Fleas. If a dog be infested with these insects, put 
him in a tub of warm soapsuds, and they will rise to 
the surface. ‘Take them off, and burn them. Strong 
perfumes, about the person, diminish thei attacks. 
When caught between the fingers, plunge them in 
water, or they will escape. | 

Crickets. Scalding, and sprinkling Scotch snuff 
about the haunts of these insects, are remedies for the 
annoyance caused by them. 

Flies can be killed, in great quantities, by placing 
about the house vessels, filled with sweetened water 
and cobalt. Six cents worth of cobalt is enough for a 
pint of water. It is very poisonous. 

Musquitoes. Close nets around a bed, are the only 
sure protection at night, against these insects. Spirit 
of hartshorn is the best antidote for their bite. Salt 
and water is good. 

Red or Black Ants may be driven away, by scalding 
their haunts, and putting Scotch snuff wherever they 
20 for food. Set the legs of closets and safes in pans 
of water, and they cannot get at them. 

Moths. Airing clothes does not destroy moths, buf 
laying them ina hot sun does. If articles be tichtly 
sewed up in linen, and fine tobacco be put about 
them, it is a sure protection. This should be done 
in April. 

Rats and Mice. A good cat is the best remedy for 









324 ON SEWING, ‘CUTTING, AND MENDING. _ 


these annoyances. Equal quantities of jen (or "3 
cicuta,) and old cheese, will poison them, put this io 
renders the house liable to the inconvenience of a bad — 
smell. This evil, however, may be lessened, by placing — 
a dish, containing oil of vitriol poured on saltpetre, 
where the smell is most annoying. Cena of = J 
and water is also good. 


ce 


CHAPTER XXXIIL Pa 
ON See ADR CUTTING, AND MENDING. 


Every young girl should be taught to do the new. eo, 
ing kinds’ of stitch, with propriety. Over-stitch, hem- 
ming, running, felling, stitching, back-stitch and run, | 
buttonhole-stitch, chain-stitch, whipping, damning, gath- 
ering, and cross-stitch. 

In doing over-stitch, the edges should always be first’ 
fitted, either with pins or basting, to prevent puckering. 
‘In turning wide hems, a paper measure should be used, 
ié make them “even, Tucks, also, should be regulated 
by a paper measure. A fell should be turned, before _ 
the edges are put together, and the seam should be 
over-sewed, before felling. All biased or goring seams 
should be felled. For ‘stitching, draw a thread, and 
take up two or three threads at a stitch. 

In making buttonholes, it is best to have a pair of — 
Scissors, made for the purpose, which cut very neatly. 
For broadcloth, a chisel and board are better. The 
best stitch is made by putting in the needle, and then’ 
turning the thread around it, near the eye. This is 
better than to draw the needle through, and then take 
up a loop. A thread should first be put across each 
side of the buttonhole, and also a stay-thread, or bar, 
at each end, before working it. In working the button- 
hole, keep the stay-thread as far from the edge as pos- 
sible. A small bar should be worked at each end — 





vo ee ie Te Boe Me SS ga fe ee Se ce alts 
eae Spee eg ‘ e 
fe 4 


ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. 325 


Whipping is done better by sewing over, and not under 
The roll should be as fine as possible, the stitches short, 
the thread strong, and in clic every eatlies should 
be taken up. 

The rule for gathering, i in bhiries is, to dear a thread, 
and then take up two threads and skip four. In darn- 
mg, after the perpendicular threads are run, the cross- 
ing threads should interlace, exactly, taking one thread 
~ and leaving one, like woven threads. 

The neatest sewers always fit and baste their work, 
before sewing ; and they say they always save time in 
the end, by so doing, as they never have to pick out 
work, on account of mistakes. 

It is wise to sew closely and tightly all new garments, 
which will never be altered in shape; but some are 
more nice than wise, in sewing frocks, and old gar- 
ments, in the same style. However, this is the least 
common extreme. It is much more frequently the case, 
that articles, which ought to be strongly and neatly 
made, are sewed so that a nice sewer would rather | 
pick out the threads and sew over again, than to be 
annoyed with the sight of grinning stitches, and vexed 
with constant rips. 

Workbaskets. It is very important to neatness, com 
fort, and success in sewing, that a lady’s workbasket 
should be properly fitted up. The following articles 
are needful to the mistress of a family: a large basket, 
to hold work ; having in it, fastened, a smaller basket, 
or box, containing a needle-book, in which are needles 
of every size, both blunts and sharps, with a larger 
number of those sizes most used ; also, small and large 
darning-needles, for woollen, cotton, and silk ; two tape- 
needles, large and small; nice scissors, for fine work , 
button-hole scissors ; an emery-bag ; ; two balls of white 
and yellow wax ; and two thimbles, in case one should 
be mislaid. When a person is troubled. with damp 
fingers, a lump of soft chalk, in a paper, is useful, to 
rvb on the ends of the fingers. 

Besides this box, keep in the basket, common scis- 
D. 


oes 


326 ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. 


sors; small shears; a bag containing tapes, of all colors — 
and sizes, done up in rolls; bags, one, containing spools — 


of white, and another of colored, cotton thread, and 


another for silks, wound on spools or papers; a boxor 


bag for nice buttons, and another for more common 


ones; a bag containing silk braid, welting cords, and 


galloon binding. Small rolls of pieces of white and 
brown linen and cotton, are also often needed. A 
brick pincushion is a great convenience, in sewing, and 
better than screw-cushions. It is made by covering 
half a brick with cloth, putting a cushion on the top, 
and covering it tastefully. It is very useful to hold pins 
and needles, while sewing, and to fasten long seams 
when basting and sewing. SRS 
To make a Frock. The best way for a novice, 1s, 
to get a dress fitted (not sewed) at the best: mantua- 
maker’s. Then take out a sleeve, rip it to pieces, and 
cut out a pattern. Then take out half of the waist, (at 
must have a seam in front,) and cut out a pattern of the 
back and fore-body, both lining and- outer part. _ In 
cutting the patterns, iron the pieces, smooth, let the 
paper be stiff, and, with a pin, prick holes in the paper, 
to show the gore in front, and the depth of the seams. 
With a pen and ink, draw lines from each pinhole, to 
preserve this mark. Then baste the parts together 
again, in doing which, the unbasted half will serve as: 
a pattern. When this is done, a lady of common in 
genuity can cut and fit a dress, by these patterns. If 
the waist of a dress be too tight, the seam under the 
arm must be let out; and in cutting a dress, an al- 
lowance should be made, for letting it out, if needful, 
at this.seam. The lining of the fore-body must be bi- 
ased. er 
The linings for the waists of dresses should be 
stiffened cotton. or linen. In cutting bias-pieces, for 
trimming, they will not set well, unless they are exact. 
In cutting them, use a long rule, and a lead pencil or 
piece of chalk. Welting-cords should be covered with 
bias-pieces ; and it saves time, in many cases, to baste. 


~ 










ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING.. 327 


a, the welting-cord, at the same time that you cover it. 
_ The best way to put on hooks and eyes, is to sew them 


on double broad tape, and then sew this on the frock- 
lining. ‘They can then be moved easily, and do not 
show where they are sewed on. 

In cutting a sleeve, double it biased. The skirts 
of dresses look badly, if not full; and in putting on 
lining, at the bottom, be careful to have it a very little 
fuller than the dress, or it will shrink, and look badly. 
All thin silks look much better with lining, and last 
much longer, as do aprons, also. In putting a lining 
to a dress, baste it on each separate breadth, and sew it 
in at the seams, and it looks much better than to have 
it fastened only at the bottom. Make notches in sel- 
vedge, to prevent it from drawing up the breadth. 
Dresses, which are to be washed, should not be 
lined. 

Figured silks do not generally wear well, if the 
figure be large and satin-like. Black and plain-colored 
silks can be tested, by procuring samples, and making 
creases in them; fold the creases in a bunch, and rub 
them against a rough surface, of moreen or carpeting. 
Those which are poor, will soon wear off, at the creases. 
Plaids look becoming, for tall women, as they shorten 
the appearance of the figure. Stripes look becoming, 


on a large person, as they reduce the apparent size. 


Pale persons should not wear blue or green, and 
brunettes should not wear light delicate colors, except 
shades of buff, fawn, or straw color. Pearl white 
is not good for any complexion. Dead white and 
black look becoming on almost all persons It is best 
to try colors, by candle-light, for evening dresses; as 
some colors, which look very handsome in the daylight, 
are very homely when seen by candle-light. Never 
cut a dress low in the neck, as_ this shows that a 
woman is not properly instructed in the rules of mod- 
esty and decorum, or that she has not sense enough to 
regard them. Never be in haste to be first in a fash- 
ion, and never go to the extremes. 


-and set them on the bottom. Use a long rule and a 





close thiead: and is perfectly white ; i) if ‘it be Hot” 


white, at first, it will never afterWaide become so. f 


Much that is called linen, at the shops, is half cotton, aes 
and does not wear so well as cotton alone. Cheap 

linens are usually of this kind. It is difficult to discover 
which are all linen; but the best way, is, to finda lot, __ 
presumed to be sood, take a sample, wash it, and ravel rhe 

it. If this be good, the rest of the same lot will prob- — 
ably be so. If you cannot do this, draw a thread, each 
way, and if both appear equally strong, it is probably. 
all linen. Linen and cotton must be put in clean 
water, and boiled, to get out the starch, and then 
ironed. A long piece of linen, a yard wide, will, with 
care and calculation, make eight shirts. In cutting it, 
take a shirt of the right size, as a guide, in fitting and 
basting. ~Bosom-pieces, false collars, &c. must be cut 
and fitted, by a pattern which suits the person for whom 
the articles\are designed. . Gentlemen’s night-shirts are 
made like other shirts, except that they are longer. 

In cutting chemises, if the cotton or linen is a yard 
wide, cut off small half gores, at the top of the breadths, 


pencil, in cutting gores. In cutting cotton, which is— 
quite wide, a seam can be saved, by cutting out two at 
once, in this manner :—cut of three breadths, and, 
with a long rule and a pencil, mark and cut off the 
gores, thus: from one breadth, cut off two gores, the 
whole length, each gore one fourth of the breadth, at 
the bottom, and tapering off to a point, at the top. 
The other two breadths are to have a gore cut off from 


- each, which is one fourth wide at top, and two- fourths 


at bottom. Arrange these pieces right, and they. will 
make two chemises, one having four seams, and the 
other three. This is a much easier way of cutting, 
than sewing the three breadths together, in bag-fashion, 
as is uften done. The biased, or goring seams, must 
always be felled. The sleeves and neck can be cut 
according to the taste of the wearer, by another chemise 


ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. 329 





OS Yow a pattern. There. should be a lining around ‘the 


__ armholes, and stays at all corners. Six yards, of yard 


width, will make two chemises. 

Old silk dresses, quilted for skirts, are very service 
_able. White flannel is soiled so easily, and shrinks so 
much in washing, that it is a good plan to color it a 
light dove-color, according to the receipt given on page 
301. Cotton flannel, dyed thus, is also good for com- 
mon skirts. In making up flannel, back-stitch and run 
the seams, and then cross- stitch them open. Nice 
flannel, for infants, can be ornamented, with very little 
expense of time, by turning up the hem, on the right 
side, and making a little vine at the edge, with saddler’s 
silk. The stitch of the vine is a modification of 
buttonhole-stitch. 

Long night gowns are best, cut a little goring. It re 
quires five yards, for a long nightgown, and two and a 
half for a short one. Linen nightcaps wear longer than 
cotton ones, and do not, like them, turn yellow. They 
should be ruffled with linen, as cotton borders will not 
last so long as the cap. A double-quilted wrapper is a 
great comfort, in case of sickness. It may be made 
of two old dresses. It should not be cut full, but 
rather like a gentleman’s study-gown, having no gathers 
or plaits, but large enough to slip off and on with ease. 
A double gown, of calico, is also very useful. Most 
articles of dress, for grown persons or children, require 
patterns. 

Bedding. The best beds, are thick hair mattresses, 
which, for persons in health, are good for Winter as 
well as Summer use. Mattresses may also be made of 
husks, dried and drawn into shreds; also, of alternate 
layers of cotton and moss. ‘The most profitable sheet- 
ing, is the Russian, which will last three times as long 
as any other. It is never perfectly white. Unbleached 
cotton is good for Winter. It is poor economy to 
make narrow and short sheets, as children and domes- 
tics will always slip them off, and soil the bedtick and 
bolster. They should be three yards long, and two 

28* D. E. 


eye 
4 


a OSS en ate ene 
A aes 
" r ue 


a 


330 ON SEWING, CUTTING, AND MENDING. 


and a half wide, so that they can be tucked in all 
around. All bed-linen should be marked and num — 
-bered, so that a bed can always be madé properly, and — 


all missing articles be known. 

Mending. Silk dresses will last much longer, by rip 
ping out the sleeves, when thin, and changing the arms, 
and also the breadths of the skirt. Tumbled black silk, 
which is old and rusty, should be dipped in water, then 
be drained for a few minutes, without squeezing or 


pressing, and then ironed. Cold tea is better than 
water. Sheets, when worn thin in the middle, should be 


ripped, and the other edges sewed together. Window- 
curtains last much longer, if lined, as the sun fades and 
rots them. Broadcloth should be cut with reference 
to the way the nap runs. When pantaloons are thin, 
it is best to newly seat them, cutting the piece inserted 


in a curve, as corners. are difficult to fit. When the 


knees are thin, it is a case of domestic surgery, which 
demands amputation. This is performed, by cutting off 
both legs, some distance above the knees, and then 
changing the legs. Take care to cut them off exactly 
of the same length, or in the exchange they will not 
fit. ‘This method brings the worn spot under the knees, 
and the seam looks much better than a patch and darn. 
Hose can be cut down, when the feet are worn. Take 
an old stocking, and cut it up for a pattern. Make 


4 

c 

“y 

see 
: 





the heel short. In sewing, turn each edge, and run it oe 


down, and. then sew over the edges. ‘This is better 
than to stitch and then cross-stitch. Run thin places 
in stockings, and it will save darning a hole. If shoes 
are worn through on the sides, in the upper-leather, 
slip pieces of broadcloth under, and sew them around 
the holes. If, in sewing, the thread kinks, break it off 
and begin at the other end. In_ using spool-cotton, 


thread the needle with the end which comes off first, 


and not the end where you break it off. This often 
prevents kinks. 






| ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 33] 


“CHAPTER XXXIV. 
ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 


Tue authorities consulted in the preparation of this 
and kindred chapters, are, Loudon’s Encyclopedia of 
Gardening, Bridgeman’s Young Gardener, Hovey’s 
Magazine of Horticulture, the writings of Judge Buel,* 
and Downing’s Landscape Gardening. 


On the Preparation of Soil. 


If the garden soil be clayey, and adhesive, put on 
a covering of sand, three inches thick, and the same 
depth of well-rotted manure. Spade it in, as deep as 
possible, and mix it well. If the soil be sandy and 
loose, spade in clay and ashes. Ashes are good for all 
kinds of soil, as they loosen those which are close, hold 
moisture in those which are sandy, and destroy insects. 
_ The best kind of soil;is that, which will hold water 
the longest, without becoming hard, when dry. 

To prepare Soil for Pot-plants, take one fourth part 
of common soil, one fourth part of well-decayed ma- 
_nure, and one half of vegetable mould, from the woods, 
or from a chip-yard. Break up the manure, fine, and 
sift it through a lime-screen, (or coarse wire sieve.) 
These materials must be thoroughly mixed.. When 
the common soil which is used, is adhesive, and, indeed, 
im most other cases, it is necessary to add sand, the pro- 
portion of which, must depend on the nature of the soil. 

On the Preparation of a Hot Bed. Dig a pit, six 
feet long, five feet wide, and thirty inches deep. Make 
a frame, of the same size, with the back two feet high, 
the front fifteen inches, and the sides sloped from the 
back to the front. Make two sashes, each three feet 


* His ‘Farmers’ Companion’ was written expressly for the larger 
series of ‘Tux Scoot Lisrary,’ issued by the publishers of this 
volume, 


7“) Sas 
pit 


332 ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 


by five, with the panes of glass lapping like shingles, — o 
instead of having cross bars. Set the frame over the — 
pit, which should then be filled with fresh horse-dung, — 
which has not lain long, nor been sodden by water — 
Tread it down, hard, then put into the frame, light, and — 
very rich soil, ten or twelve inches deep, and cover it. 


with the sashes, for two or three days. hen stir the — 


soil, and sow the seeds in shallow drills, placing sticks 
by them, to mark the different kinds. Keep the frame 


covered with the glass, whenever it is cold enough to — 


chill the plants; but at all other times, admit fresh air, 





Ay 
i 


‘ sf 


which is indispensable to their health. When the sun — 


is quite warm, raise the glasses, enough to admit air, 
and cover them with matting or blankets, or else the 
sun may kill the young plants. Water the bed at 
evening, with water which has stood all day,-or, if it be 
fresh drawn, add a little warm water. If there be too 
much heat ii the bed, so as to scorch or wither the 
plants, make deep holes, with stakes, and fill them up ~ 


when the heat is reduced... In very cold nights, cover _ 


the box with straw. 


On Planting Flower Seeds. epg 


Break-up the soil, till it is very soft, and free fied 
lumps. Rub that nearest the surface, between the © 
hands, to make it fine. Make a civenlar drill, a foot in - 
diameter. For seeds as large as sweet peas, it should 


be half an inch deep. The smallest seeds must be 


planted very near the surface, and a very little fine 
earth be sifted over them. Seeds are to be planted 
either deeper or nearer the surface, according to their 
size. After covering them with soil, beat them down > 
with a trowel, so as to make the earth as compact as it — 
is after a heavy shower. Set up a stick, in the middle 
of the circle, with the name of the plant heavily writ-— 
ten upon it, with a dark lead pencil. This remains 
more permanent, if white lead be first rubbed over the 
surface. Never plant, when the soil is very wet. In 
very dry times, water the seeds at night Never use 






ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 333 


very cold water. When the seeds are small, many 
_ should be planted together, that they may assist each 
other in breaking the soil. When the plants are an 
inch high, thin them out, leaving only one or two, if 


the plant be a large one, like the Balsam; five or six, 


when it is of a medium size; and eighteen or twenty 


of the smaller size. Transplanting, retards the growth 
of a plant about a fortnight. It is best to plant at 
two different times, lest the first planting should fail, 
owing to wet or cold weather. 


. To Plant Garden Seeds. 


Make the beds a yard wide; lay across them a 
board, a yard long and a foot wide, and, with a stick, 
make a furrow, on each side. of it, one inch deep. 
Scatter the seeds in this furrow, and cover them. 
Then lay the board over them and step on it, to press’ 
down the earth. When the plants are an inch high, 


thin them out, leaving spaces proportioned to their 


sizes. Seeds of a similar species, such as melons and 
squashes, should not be planted very near to each other, 


as this causes them to degenerate. The same kinds of 


vegetables should not be planted in the same place, for 
two years in succession. 


On Transplanting. 


‘Transplant at evening, or, which is better, just before 
a shower. ‘Take a round stick, sharpened at the point, 
and make openings to receive the plants. Set them a- 
very little deeper than they were before, and press the 
soil firmly round them. ‘Then water them, and cover 
them for three or four days, taking care that sufficient 
air be admitted. If the plant can be removed, without 
disturbing the soil around the root, it will not be at all 
retarded, by transplanting. Never remove leaves and 
branches, unless a part of the roots be lost. 


To Re-pot House-Plants. 
Renew the soil, every year, soon after the time 





334 oN THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 


of blossoming. Prepare soil, as previously directed. 


Loosen the earth from the pot, by passing a cafe s 


around the sides. Turn the plant upside down, and — 


remove the pot. Then remove-all the matted fibres at | 


the bottom, and all the earth, except that which adheres 
to the roots, From woody plants, like roses, shake off - 
all the earth. Take the new pot, and put a piece of 
broken earthen-ware over the hole at the bottom; and — 
then, holding the plant in the proper position, shake in 
the earth, around it. Then pour in water, to settle the 
earth, and heap on fresh soil, till the pot is even full. 
Small pots are considered better than large ones, as 
the roots are not so likely to rot, from excess of moisture. 


On the Laying out of Yards and Gardens. 


In planting trees, in a yard, they should be arranged 
in groups, and never planted in straight lines, nor 
sprinkled about, as solitary trees. ‘The object of this 
arrangement, is, to imitate Nature, and secure some 
spots of dense shade and some of cleared turf. In 


yards which are covered with turf, beds can be cut out 


of it, and raised for flowers. A trench should be made — 
around, to prevent the grass from running on them. 
These beds can be made in the shape of crescents, — 
ovals, or other fanciful forms, of which, the Bee * 
below is one speotaet: 





In laying out beds, in gardens and yards, a very pret- 


ty bordering can be made, by planting them with com- 


mon flax seed, in a line about three inches from the 
edge. This can be trimmed, with shears. whe it 
grows too high. 


= 
a 





ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 335. 


2 __—-Un the Cultivation of Bulbs, and Tuberous Roots. 
For planting the Amaryllis, take one third part of 
leaf mould, half as much sand, and the remainder, 
earth from under fresh grass sods. Plant them in May 
The bulb should not be set more’ than half its depth in 
the ground. 
+The Anemone and Ranunculus are medium, or half- 

_ hardy, roots. They should be planted in soil which is 
_ enriched with cowdung, and the beds should be raised 
only an inch from the walk. They must be planted in 
- October, in drills, two inches deep, the claws of the 
aa downward, and be shaded when they begin to 

ud. 

The Crocus must be planted m October, two inches 
deep, and four inches apart. In measuring the depth, 
always calculate from the top of the bulb. 

_ Crown Imperial. This must be planted in Septem- 
ber, three or four inches deep; and need not be taken 
up but once in three years. 

Gladiolus. ‘Those who have greenhouses, or pits, 
plant the Gladiolus in October; and preserve it in pots 
through the Winter. Those who have not these con- 
veniences, may plant these bulbs late in April. The 
earth must be composed of one half common soil, 
one fourth leaf mould, and one fourth sand. Plant 
them about an inch deep. 

Hyacinths should be planted in October, eight inches 
apart, and three or four inches deep, in a rich soil. 

Jonquilles should be planted in October, two inches 
deep, in a rich soil, and should not be taken up oftener 
than once in three years. 

Narcissus. This should be planted in October, four 
inches deep; covered, through the Winter, with straw 
and leaves, six inches thick; and uncovered in the 
middle of March. 

Ocxalis. Plant this in September, in a soil, composed 
of two thirds common earth, and one third leaf mould. 
The old bulb dies after blossoming, and is succeeded 
by @ new onc. 








336 ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. _ 


Plant Tulsps; 1 in rich soil, in. October, three inches : 


deep. 


They are delicate plants, and should be covered, in — 
of frosts. age 

Daffodils should be olinied: two ibielie dvips | 

When bulbs have done flowering, and their leaves’ 
begin to decay, they should be taken up and dried, and 
kept in a dry place, till October, when they are to be 
replanted, taking off the offsets, and putting them in 
a bed by themselves. 

Bulbs which blossom in water, or are in any whe? 
way forced to bloom out of season, are so much: ex- 
hausted by it, that it takes them two or mee years to 
“recover their beauty. +2 

Dahlias. Dig a hole, a foot en a half deep 3 fill it 
with very light, loose, and rich, soil; and drive in a 
stake, a yard and a half high, to which; to tie the future 
plants. Then set in the root, so that it shall be an inch 

below the soil, where the sprout starts. When the 
plants are two feet high, tie them to the stakes, and 
take off some of the lower side-shoots. Continue to 
tie them, as their growth advances. If the roots are 
planted in the open borders, without any previous 
growth, it should be done as early as the first of May, 
and they should be covered from the frosts. ~When 


Plant Tuberoses late in 1 April, in a rich, sandy soil. a 


they are brought forward, in pots or hot-beds, they 


should be put out, in the middle of June. It is said, 

by gardeners, that late planting, is better than early, for 
producing perfect flowers. In the Autumn, after the 
frosts bave destroyed the tops, let the roots remain 
awhile in the ground, to ripen; then dig them up, and 
pick them away, in some place where they will neither 
mould, from dampness, nor freeze. In the Spring, these 
roots will throw out sprouts, and must then be divided, 
so as to leave a good shoot, attached to a piece of the 
tuber or old stem, and each shoot will make a new 
plant. It is stated, that if the shoots themselves, with- 
out any root, be planted in light soil, covered with a 







ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. 337 


zi _ vell-giass, or large tumbler, and carefully watered, they 


will produce plants superior to those with roots. 
Annuals 


These are flowers which last only one season. ‘T'hey 
should be so planted, that the tallest may be in the 
middle of a bed, and the shortest at the edges; and 
flowers of a sintilar color should not be planted adjacent 
to each other. 

The fellowing is a list of some of the handsomest 
Annuals, arranged with reference to their color and 
height. Those with a star before them, do best when 
sowed in the Autumn. ‘Those with tr. after them, are 
trailing plants. 


SIX INCHES TO ONE FOOT HIGH. 


_ White. Ice Plant, Sweet Alyssum, White Lep- 
tosiphon, Walker’s Schizopetalon, Blumenbachia in- 
signis, * Candytuft. 

Yellow. * Yellow Chryseis or Eschscholtzia, Sanvi- 
falia procumbens, tr., Musk-flowered Mimutus. 

Rose. Many-flowered Catchfly, Rose-colored  Ver- 
bena, tr. 

Red. *Chinese Annual Pink, Virginian Stock, Ca- 
landrinia Speciosa. 

Blue. Graceful Lobelia, Nemophila insignis, Clin- 
tonia pulchella, Clintonia elegans, Nolana atriplici- 
folia, tr., Anagallis indica, Commelina ccelestis, Grove 
Love, Pimpernel (blue.) 

Varying Colors. * Heart’s Ease, or Pansy, Dwarf 
Love in a Mist, * Rose Campicn. 


. ONE FOOT TO EIGHTEEN INCHES HIGH. 


White. Venus’s Looking Glass, Priest’s Schizanthus, 
Sweet-scented Stevia, White Evening Primrose. 

Yellow. Drummond’s Coreopsis, * New Dark Core- 
opsis, Golden Hawkweed, Dracopis amplexicaulis, Drum- 
mond’s Primrose, Cladanthus arabicus, Peroffsky’s Ery- 


sImUmM. 
Qg D. FE 











338 ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GAI 
Rose. Drummond’s Phlox, Rodanthe, Rose-c 
N onea, Clarkia rosea, Silene Tenorei, Silene armel re 

Red. Crimson Coxcomb, oe pendula, Crimson ; 
Dew Plant, zr. hat 

Scarlet. Cacalia coccinea, Flos Adonis, Scarlet ie 
Zinnia, Mexican: Cuphea. = iy 
_, Lilac end Purple. Clarkia elegans, Chika puichella, 

* Purple Candytuft, * Purple Petunia, +¢r., *Crimson 
Candytuft, Double Purple Jacobea, Leptosiphon an- 
drosaceus,.all the varieties of Schizanthus, ‘Vemed Mer- 
bena, ¢r., * Purple eternal Flower. 

Blue. Ageratum Mexicanum, * Gilia oni: ‘Sham me 
ish Nigella, Blue Eutoca, Dwart Convolvulus, Didisous, 
coeruleus. 

Lilac, Purple, or Blue rhe White. Collinsia Bicol 
Gilia tricolor. 

Very Dark. Lotus J aoe Salpiglossis, Scabious. 

Colors varying. German Salen Balsam, . ‘Roqhes eae 
Larkspur, Ten-week Stock, ROPET: 


pes 


Shia 3 ee 
i le 


‘ Fi iy ¢ ’ a, | pe 
<2 fey a he Se eee etd 
Ss Pe ee A 


* a - 
Ton 


EHIGHTEEN - INCHES TO TWO FEET. 


White. * White Petunia, tr., White Clarkia, Double | 
White Jacobzea, Love in a Mist. s 

Red. * Lavateta trimestris, Red Zinnia, Malva 
miniata. 

Lilac and Purple. Globe Amaranthus, Purple Sweet 
Sultan, Sweet Scabious, Purple Zinnia, Prince’ s Feather, Bis 
Large Blue Lupine, * Catchy 


TWO FEET AND UPWARDS. 


White. Winged Ammobium, * White Lavatera, 
White Sweet Sultan; * New White Eternal F lower, 
White Helicrysum, * White Larkspur. 

Yellow. Golden Bartonia, * Golden Coreopsis, Yel- 
low Sweet Sultan, African Marigold, Yellow Argemone, 
French Marigold, ‘Yellow Cox comb, Yellow Hibiscus. 

The Malope ¢ grandiflora and the Cleome are fine tall. 
annuals, " 






ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. | 339. 
eo aca Tae tg eta . 
Se sain eas Flants. 

eee The following are the most beautiful annual climbers : 
Crimson, and White, Cypress Vine; White, and Bui. 
Thunbergia ; Srarict Flowering Bean’; Hyacinth Bean 
Loasa ; Morning Glory ; Crimson, and Spotted, Nas 
turtium ; Balloon Vine; Sweet Pea: Tangier Pea 
Lord Anson’s Pea: Climbing Cobzea; Pink, and White 





Maurandia. 
The following are the -most valuable perennia 
— —elumbers : Sweet-sconted Monthly Honeysuckle; Yel- 


low, White, and Coral [oneysuckles; Purple Glycine : 
Clematis ; Bitter Sweet: ‘Trumpet Creeper. 

The Everlasting Pea is a beautiful perennial climber. 
The Climbing Cobzea, and Passion Fiewer, are also 
beautiful perennials, but must be protected in Winter. 


Perennials. 


Those who cannot afford every year to devote the 

- time necessary to the raising of annuals, will do weil to 

supply their borders with perennials. The following 1s 
a list of some of those generally preferred. 

Adonis, yellow; Columbine, all colors; Alyssum 
yellow; Asclepias, orange and purple; Bee Lark- 
spur, blue; Perennial Larkspur, all colors; Cardinal 
Flower, scarlet ; Chinese Pink, various colors; Clove 
Pink; Foxglove, purple and white; Gentian, purple 
and yellow; Hollyhock, various colors; * Lily of the 
Valley ; American Phlox,.various colors ; Scarlet Lych- 
nis; Monkshood, white and blue; *Spirea, white and 
pink ; * Ragged Robin, pink ; Rudbeckia, yellow and 
purple; Sweet William, in variety. Tnose marked 
with a star cannot be obtained from seed, but must be 
propagated by roots, layers, d&c. 


Herbaceous Roots. 


These are such as die to the root, in the Fall, and 
come up again in the Spring, such as Pzonies, crimson, 
white, sweet-scented, and straw-colored; Artemisia, 






840 ON THE CARE OF YARDS AND GARDENS. _ 


of many colors; White and Purple Fleur-de-lis ; “White, 
Tiger, Fire, and other Lilies; Little Blue ines < Chrys- 
anthemums, d&c. These are propagated oui: dividing | 
the roots. | 
Shrubs. ent ae 
The following are the. finest Shrubs cae anden "igs RAS: 
lacs, (which, by budding, can have white and purple _ 
on the same tree,) Double Syringas, Double Althzas, 
Corchorus  Japonicus, Snow-berry, Double-flowering 
Almond, Pyrus Japonica, Common Barberry, Burning 
Bush, Rose Acacia, Yellow Laburnum. The following _ 
are the finest Roses: Moss Rose, White, and Red; 
Double and Single Yellow Rose, (the last needs a 


gravelly soil and northern exposure ;) Yellow Multi-— 


flora; La Belle Africana; Small Eglantine, for borders ; — 
Champney’s Blush Rose; Noisette; Greville, (very 
fine ;) Damask ; Blush, White, and Cabbage Roses. 
Moss Roses, when budded on other rose bushes, last 
only three years. 

Shade Trees. The following are among the finest : 
.Mountain Ash; Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, (grows 
very fast ;) Tulip Trees Linden: Elm ; Locust; Ma- 
ple; Dog Wood ; Horse Chestnut : Catalpa ; Hemlock ; 
Silver Fir; and Cédar. These should be grouped, A 
such a manner that trees of different shades of green, 
and of different heights, should stand in the same ~ 
group. 

The Autumn is the best time for transplanting trees. 
Take as much of the root, as possible, especially the 
little fibres, which should never become dry. If kept 
long, before they are set out, put wet moss around 
them, and water them. Dig holes, larger than the ex- 
tent of the roots; let one person hold the tree in its 
former position, and another place the roots, carefully, 
as they were before, cutting off any broken or wounded | 
root. Be careful not to let the tree be more than an 
inch deeper than it was before. Let the soil be soft, 
and well manured ; shake the tree, as the soil.is shaken 





s 
a 
| 
‘ 

ri 
a 


ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 34. 


| fe mn, that it may mix well-among the small fibres. De 


not tread the earth down, while filling the hole; but, 


when it is full, raise a ‘slight mound, of, say, four inches, 


and then tread it down. Make a little basin, two inches 
deep, around the stem, to hold water, and fillit. Never 
cut off leaves nor brahches unless some of the roots are 


lost. Tie the trees to a stake, ana they will bey more 


‘Tikely to live. Water them often. 


On the Care of Bouse Plane 


The soil of house-plants should be renewed every 
year, as previously directed. _In Winter, they should 
be kept as dry as they can be without wilting, Many 


‘house-plants are injured by giving them too much 


water, when they have little light and fresh air. This 
makes them grow spindling. The more fresh air, 
warmth, and light, they have, the more water is needed. 
They ought not to be kept very warm in Winter, nor 
exposed to great changes of atmosphere. Forty degrees | 
is a proper temperature for plants in Winter, when they 


have little sun and air. When plants have become 


é 


spindling, cut off their heads, entirely, and cover the 
pot in the earth, where it has the morning sun, only. 
A new and flourishing head will spring out. Few 
house-plants can bear the sun at noon. When insects 
infest plants, set them in a closet, or under a barrel, 
and burn tobacco. The smoke kills any insect envel- 
oped in it. ‘When plants are frozen, cold water, and a 
gradual restoration of warmth, are the best remedies, 


‘Never use very cold water. for plants, at any season. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 


ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 


Bu.Bovus roots are " propagated by offsets; some 
growing on the top, others around the sides. Many 
a D. E. 


ss 


- inches of it, being of the preceding year’s growth, and i 


Re eas! ~ eS ee ee 8 er. Wwe sole tee oe ye, Le 
: ge aE ‘ry Nae ar ey rita =i : 






342 ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. — 


plants are propagated by cutting off twigs, and ‘ida 
them in earth, so that two or three eyes are covered. a 
To do this, select a side shoot, ten inches long, two _ 


the rest, the growth of the season when it is set out. ie 
Do this, when the sap is running, and’ put a piece ‘BE oe 
crockery at the bottom of the shoot, when it is buried. 
One eye, at least, must be under the soil. Water it, 
and shade it in hot weather. Plants are also propa- 
gated by layers. To do this, take a shoot, which comes 
up near the root, bend it down, so as to ‘bring several 
eyes under the soil, leavifig the top above ground. 
If the shoot be cut half through, in a slanting direction, 
at one of these eyes. before burying it, the result is 
more certain. Roses, honeysuckles, and many other 
shrubs, are readily propagated thus. They will gen- 
erally take root, by being simply buried; but cutting 
them, as here directed, is the best method. Layers are 
more certain than cuttings. For all woody plants, bud- 
ding and grafting are favorite methods of propagation. 
In all such plants, there is an outer and inner bark ; 
the latter containing the sap vessels, in which the nour- 
ishment of the tree ascends. | 
The success of grafting, or inoculating, consists in so 
placing the bud or graft, that the sap vessels of the 
inner bark shall exactly join those of the plant info’ 4 
which they are grafted, so that the sap may pass from ‘ 
one into the other. | 
The following are directions for budding, which may 
be performed at any time from July to September. 
Select a smooth place, on’ the stock into which you — 
are to insert the bud. .Make a horizontal cut, across 
the rind, through to the firm wood; and from the mid- 
dle of this, make a slit downward, perpendicularly, an 
inch or more long, through to the wood. Raise the 
bark of the stock, on each side of the perpendicular 
cut, for the admission of the bud, as is shown in the 
annexed engraving , (Fig. 40.) Then take a shoot of 
this year’s growth, and slice from it a bud, taking an 


: 







ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 343 


ae iis ae an inch abeve it, ee some portion of 


- the wood under it: Then carefully slip off the woody 
part, under the bud, Examine whether the eye or gem 
of the bud be perfect. If a little hole appears in ‘that 
part, the bud has lost its root, and another must be se- 
lected. Insert the bud, so that a, of the bud, shall 


_ pass to a, of the stock; then 6, of the bud, must be 
cut off, to match the cut, b, in the stock, and fitted ex- 


actly to it, as it is this alone which insures success. 
_ Bind the parts, with fresh bass, or woollen yarn, be- 
ginning a little below the bottom of the perpendicular 
slit, and winding it closely round. every part, except 
just over the eye of the bud, until you arrive above 
the horizontal cut. Do not bind it too tightly, but 
just sufficient to exclude air, sun, and wet. This is to 
be removed, after the bud is firmly fixed, and begins 
to grow. 


Fig. 40. 





Seed-fruit can be budded into any other seed-fruit, 
and stone-fruit into any other stone-fruit; but stone 
and seed-fruits, cannot be thus mingled. 





Eo > Weg Sit ee US is bel 8. Cee Bae 


344 ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. « 2 


Radi bushes can eve a variety of kinds budded dint 


the same stock. Hardy roots are the best stocks. “Tie 
branch above the bud, must be cut off, the next March 


or April after the bud is put in. Apples and pears, are 


more easily propagated by ingrafting, than by budding. he 
Ingrafting is a similar process to budding, with this. 
advantage; that it can be performed on large trees, 


whereas budding can be applied only on small ones. 
The two common kinds of ingrafting, are whip-grafting, 


and split-grafting. The first kind is for lee hail . 


and the other for large ones. 


The time for ingrafting, is from May to ‘Oétober 


The cuttings must be taken from horizontal shoots, be- 

tween Christmas and March, and kept in a damp cellar. 

In performing the operation, cut off, in a sloping direc- 

tion, (as seen in Fig. 41,) the tree or limb to be grafted. 
Fig. 41. 





Then cut off, in a corresponding slant, the: slip to be 


grafted on. Then put them together, so that the inper 






4 







ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 345 
_ _ bark of each shall match, exactly, on one side, and tie 
_ them firmly together, with woollen yarn. It is not es- 
_ sential that both be of equal size; if the bark of each 
meet together exactly on one side, it answers the 
purpose. But-the two must not differ much, in size. 
‘The slope should be an inch and a half, or more, in 
length. After they are tied together, the place should 
be covered with a salve or composition of beeswax and 
rosin. A mixture of clay and cowdung will answer the 
same purpose. This last must be tied on with a cloth. 
Grafting is more convenient than budding, as grafts can 
be sent from a great distance ; whereas buds must be 
taken in July or August, from a shoot ofthe present 
year’s growth, and cannot be-sent to any great distance 


Fig. 42. 





This engraving, (Fig. 42,) exhibits the mode called 
stock-grafting ; a, being the limb of a large tree which 
is sawed off and split, and is to be held open by a small 
wedge, till the grafts are put in. A graft, inserted in 
the limb, is shown at 6, and at c, is one not inserted, but 
designed to be put in at d, as two grafts can be put into 

: a large stock. In inserting the graft, be careful to 
make the edge of the inner bark of the graft meet ex- 
actly the edge of the inner bark of the stock; for on 
this, success depends. After the grafts are put in, the 
wedge must be withdrawn, and the whole of the stock 


- move the inte after they are Stein in. {eh eee ae 
& POY, GER siege 
‘Pruning. ; << alae ae 


all the little twigs on the main limbs. Retrenell. : f, 


from the atmosphere, they should never be removed, 


terior of the tree. Select the straight and perpen-_ ; 


move such leaves as shade the fruit, as soon as it is ~- 








346 ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. . 


be covered. an the thick salve or. composition b 
mentioned, reaching from where the grafts are inserted, 
to the bottom of the slit. Be careful not to knock or 


The folloiwikig rules for pruning, are from! a diseiel- Ks 
guished horticulturist. Prune off all dead wood, and — 


branches, so as to give light and ventilation to the i in- 


dicular shoots, which give little or no fruit, while those 
which are most nearly horizontal, and somewhat curv- 
ing, give fruit abundantly, and of wood quality. Super- | 
fluous and ill-placed buds may be rubbed off, at any. 
time; and. no buds, pushing out after Midsummer, 

should be spared. Tn choosing between shoots to be 4 
retained, preserve the lowest placed ; and, on lateral — 
shoots, those which are nearest the origin.. When 
bratiches cross. each other, so:as to rub, remove one or 
the other. Remove all suckers from the roots of trees 
or shrubs. Prune after the sap is in full circulation, 
(except in the case of grapes,) as the wounds then heal — 
best. Some think it best-to prune before the sap be-— 

gins to run. Pruning-shears, and a pruning-pole, with 
a chisel at the end, can be procured of those who deal 
in agricultural utensils. 


ee 
ie 
a 
* 
Be 
es 

b of 

* te 
a 

ae 

4 

es 

i 

a 

Loy 

‘ ey 

a 

a 

ia 

.. 

q 

f 

“ 


Pe ak one — ee. sie 


Thinning. 
As it is the office of the leaves to absorb nodviahiteee 


except to mature the wood or fruit. In doing this, re- 


ready to ripen. ‘To do it earlier, impairs the growth. 
Do it gradually, at two different times. Thinning the 
fruit is important, as tending to increase its size and 
flavor, and also to: promote the longevity of the tree. 
If the fruit be thickly set, take off one half, at the time 
of setting. Revise in June, and then in July, taking 
off all that may be spared. One very large apple to 


eas 5 
= ke 


a « 






UN THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. ~ 347 | 


every square foot, is a rule that may be a sort af 
guide, in other cases. According to this, two hundred 


large apples would be: allowed to a tree, whose extent 
_ 38 fifteen feet by twelve. If any person think this thin- 
ning excessive, let him try two similar trees, and thin 


one as directed, and leave the other eniieunait: It will 
pe found that the thinned tree will produce an Sanat 


Dacia and fruit of ical finer flavor 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 
ON ital CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. 


ar alittle attention to this matter, a lady, with the 
bel of her children, can obtain a rich: abundance of all 
kinds of. fruit. The - writer has resided in families, 
where little boys, of eight, ten, and twelve years old, 
amused themselves, mates the disdevion of their nidthier! 
in planting walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, for future 
time ; as well as in planting and inoculating young 
fruit-trees, of all descriptions. A mother, who will take 
pains to inspire a love for such pursuits, in her children, 
and who will aid and superintend them, will save them 
from mafily temptations; and, at a trifling expense, se- 
cure to them and herself a rich reward, in the choicest 
fruits. The information given in this work, on this 


subject, may be relied on, as sanctioned By thé most 
. Eeevenced nursery-men. 


‘The soil, for a nursery, should be rich, well dug, 
a with well- -decayed manure, free from weeds, 
and protected from cold winds. Fruit seeds should be 
planted in the Autumn, an inch and a half or two 
inches deep, in ridges four of five feet apart, pressing 
the earth firmly over the seeds. While growing, they 
should be thinned out, leaving the best ones a foot and 
a half apart. The soil should be kept loose, soft, and 
free’ from weeds. They should be inoculated or ins 


Be 


348 ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. 







~ grafted, when of the size of a pipe stem ; and in a’ 2 year i 


after this, may be transplanted to their ‘permanent 
stand. Peach trees sometiines bear in two years from = 
budding, and in four years from planting, if well kept. 

In a year after transplanting, take pains to train the — a 
head aright. Straight, upright branches, produce gour _ ; 
mands, or twigs bearing only leaves. ‘The side branches, __ 
which are angular or curved, yield the’ most fruit. For — 3 
this reason, the limbs should be tramed in curves, and — 
perpendicular twigs should be cut off, if there be need = 
of pruning. The last of June 1s the time for this. — 4 
Grass should never be allowed to grow within four 
feet of a large tree; and the soil should be kept loose, 
to admit air to the roots. Trees in orchards should 
be twenty-five feet apart. The soil under the top soil, 
has much to do with the health of trees. Hfitbe what 
is called hard-pan, the trees will deteriorate. ‘Trees 
need to be manured, and to have the soil kept open 
and free from weeds. 

Filberts can be raised in any part of this Country. 
Figs can be raised in the Middle States, For this 
purpose, in the Autumn, loosen the roots, on one side, 
and bend the tree down to the earth, on the other; then 
cover it with a mound of straw, earth, and boards ; and 
early in the Spring raise it up, and cover the roots. 
Currants grow well in any but a wet soil. They are 
propagated by cuttings. The old wood should be 
thinned in the Fall, and manure be put on. . They can i 
be trained into small trees. Gooseberries are propa- 
gated by layers and cuttings. They are best, when 
kept from suckers and trained hke trees. One third 
of the old wood should be removed every Autumn. 
Raspberries do best, when shaded during a part of ‘the 
day. They are propagated by layers, slips, and suckers. 
There is one kind, which bears monthly. Strawberries 
require a light soil and vegetable manure. They 
should be transplanted in April or September, and be 
set eight inches apart, in rows nine inches asunder, and 
in beds which are two feet wide, with narrow alleys 





ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. 349 


e 


‘between them. A part of these plants are non-bearers 
‘These have large flowers, with showy stamens and high 
black anthers. Phe hearers have short stamens, a great 


number of pistils, and the flowers are every way less 
showy. In blossom-time, pull out all the non-bearers. 
Some think it best to leave one non-bearer to every 
twelve bearers; but others pull them all out. Many 
beds never produce any fruit, because all the plants in 


them are non-bearers. Weeds should be kept from 


the vines. When the vines are matted with young 
plants, the best way is to dig over the beds, in cross 


lines, so as to leave some of the plants standing in little 


squares, while the rest are turned under the soil. This. 
should be done over a second time in the same year. 
‘Grapes. ‘To raise this fruit, manure the soil, and 
keep it soft, and free from weeds. A gravelly or sandy 
soil, and a south exposure, are best. Transplant the 


vines in the early Spring, or, better, in the Fall. 
_ Prune them, the first year, so.as to have only two main 


branches, taking off all other shoots, as fast as they 
come. In November, cut off all of these two branches, 
except four eyes. The second year, in the Spring, 
loosen the earth around the ‘roots, and allow only twe 
branches to grow, and every month, take off all side 
shoots. When they are very strong, preserve only a 
part, and cut off the rest in the Fall. In November, 
cut off all the. two main stems, except eight eyes 
After the second year no more pruning is needed, ex 
cept to reduce the side shoots, for the purpose of in 
creasing the fruit. All the pruning of grapes, (except 
nipping side shoots,) must be done when the-sap is not 
running, or they will bleed to death. Train them on 
poles, or lattices, to expose them to the air and sun 
Cover tender vines in the Autumn. Grapes are prop- 
agated by cuttings, layers, and seeds. For cuttings, 
select, in the Autumn, well-ripened wood, of the former 
year, and take five joints. for each. Bury them, till 
April; then soak them, for some hours, and set them 
out, aslant, so that all the eyes but one shall be covered 
30 D. E. 


bet on 
iat 
i oe 


out of the bottles. Then take out the bottles, cork 






350 ON THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT. | 


To Pree ve Frans 


Raspberries and Strawberries can be “pate! m 
perfect flavor, in the following manner. Take a pound 
of nice sifted sugar for each pound of fruit. Put them 
in alternate layers, of fruit and sugar, till the jari is. ea. a 
tirely full, then cork it, and seal it air tight. edtolgiis 

Currants ‘and Gooseberries may be perfectly ee B 
thus. Gather them, when dry, selecting only the solid 
ones. Take off the stalks, and put them in dry junk- 
bottles. Set them, wncorked, in a kettle,of water, and 
slowly raise it to boiling heat, in order to drive the air 


them, and seal them ai tight. Keep them in a dry 
place, where they will not freeze. The success of this ie 
method depends on excluding air and water. + 

Apples, Grapes, and such like fruit can be preserved, 
by packing them, when dry and solid, in dry sand or 
sawdust, putting alternate layers of fruit and sawdust 
or sand. Some sawdust gives a bad flavor to the fruit. “ 


é | 
_ Modes of Preserving Fruit Trees. iar 


Heaps of ashes, or tanner’s bark, around peach Pasi 
prevent the attack of the worm. The yellows, is a dis- 
ease of peach trees, which is spread by the pollen of the 
blossom. When a tree begins to turn yellow, take it 
away, with all its roots, before it blossoms again, or it will 
infect other trees. Planting tansy around. the roots of 
fruit trees, is a sure protection against worms, as it pre- 
vents the moth from depositing her egg, Equal quanti- 
ties of salt and saltpetre, put around the trunk of a peach 
tree, half a pound to a tree, improves the size and flavor. 
of the fruit. Apply this about the first of April, and if 
any trees have worms already in them, put on half the 
quantity, in addition, in June.. To young trees, just set 
out, apply one ounce, in April, and another in June, 
close to the stem. Sandy soil is best for peaches. | 

Apple trees are preserved from insects, by a ‘wash of 
strong ley to the body and limbs, which, if old, should 


eee ee oe 


. 4 ‘ 
bee oo ee Pe tee. eee 
OS a ase ORL SNe ae aaa 





m - ¢ r : ki Gant 
ae ee oe a = i tal ae ny 
be ee ee Vea 2S - <li wee 2k S > 







MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. 351 


be. first Petsied Caterpillars should be ‘removed, by 
cutting down their nests in a damp day. Boring a hole, 


in a tree infested with worms, and filling it with fee: 


will often drive them off immediately. 


~The fire-blight, or brilurc, in pear trees, can be 
Saped, by cutting off all the blighted branches. It is 
supposed, by some, to be owing “to an excess of sap, 
which is remedied by diminishing the roots. 

The curculio, which destroys plums, and other stone 
fruit, can be checked only by gathering up all the fruit 
that falls, (which contains their eggs,) and destroying 


it. The canker-worm can be checked, by applying a 


bandage around the body of the tree, and every even- 
ing smeating it with fresh tar. 


CHAPTER XXXVII 
MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. 


Every woman should know how to direct in regard 


‘to the proper care of domestic animals, as they often 


suffer from the negligence of domestics. 
The following information, in reference to. the care 


_of a horse and cow, may be useful. A stable should not* 
be very light nor very dark ; its floor should be either 


plank or ‘soil, as brick or stone pavements injure the 
feet. It should be well cleaned, every morning. A 
norse, kept in a stable, should be rubbed and brushed 
every day. A stable- horse needs as much daily exer- 
cise as trotting three miles will give him. Food. or 
drink should never be given, when a horse is very warm 
with exercise, as it causes disease. A horse should be 
fed, three times a day. Hay, sheaf-oats, shorts, corn- 
meal, and bran, are the best food for horses. When a 
horse i is travelling, order six quarts of oats in the morn- 
ing, four at noon, and six at night, and direct that 
neither food nor water be given till he is cool. 








352 MISUELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. 


Keep a horse’s legs free han mud, or ecu J 
often result from the neglect. A horse, much us 
should be shod as often as once in two months. Fish- 
oil and strong perfumes, on the skin, keep. flies from 
annoying a horse. Some horses are made fractious s by 
having the check-rein so tight as to weary the muscles. 

A cow should be watered three times a day, and fed 
with hay, potatoes, carrots, and boiled corn. Turnips - 
and cabbages give a bad taste to the milk. Give a 
handful of salt to: a cow, twice a week, and occasionally. 
give the same quantity to a horse. ‘Let them drink 
pure water. A well-fed cow gives double the milk that 
she will if not fed well. A cow should. go unmilked, “a 
for two months: before calving, and her milk should 
not be used till four days after. The calf must run 
with the cow for four days, and then be shut from 
her, except thrice a day, when it should take as much 
food as it wants, and then the cow should be milked Be 
clean. : 

Hens sit twenty days, and should be well fed and 
watered, during this time. ~The first food for chickens 
should be coarse dry meal. Cold and damp weather is 
bad for all young fowls, and they should be well pro- 
_tected from it. Pepper-berries are good for fowls which 
have diseases caused by damp.and cold weather. 

In Winter, much fuel may be saved, and comfort 
secured, by stuffing cotton into all cracks about the 
windows and the surbases of rooms, and by listing the 
doors. Cover strips of wood with baize, and nail them 
tight against a door, on the-casing. 

“The following are the causes of smoky chimneys. 
Short and broad flues, running up straight, asa narrow 
flue, with a bend in it, draws best.. Large openings, at -— 
the top, draw the wind down, and should be remedied, 
by having the summits made tapering. A house higher 
than a chimney near it, sometimes makes the chimney 
smoke, and the evil should be remedied, by raising the 
chimney. Too large a throat to the: fireplace, some- 
times causes a chimney to smoke, and can be reme_ 


MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. 353 





died, by a false back. or by lowering the front, with 
sheet iron. Shallow fireplaces give out more heat, and 
draw as well, as deep ones. 
¢ House-cleaning should be done in dry warm weather. 
Several friends of the writer maintain, that cleaning 
aint, and windows, and floors, in hard, “cold water, 
without any soap, using a flannel wash-cloth, is much 
better than using warm suds. It is worth trying. 
In cleaning in the common way, sponges are best for 
windows, and clean water only should be used. They 
should be first wiped with linen, and then with old silk. 
_ The outside of windows should be washed with a long 
brush, made for the purpose; and they should be rinsed, 
_by throwing upon them water, containing a little salt 
. petre. 

When inviting company, mention, in the note, the 
day of the month and week, and the hour for coming. 
Provide a place for ladies to dress their hair, with a 
glass, pins, and combs. A pitcher of cold water, and a 
tumbler, should be added. When the company is small, 
it is becoming a common method for the table to be set 
at one end of the room, the lady of the house to pour 
out tea, and the gentlemen of the party to wait on 
the ladies and themselves. When tea is sent round, 
always send a teapot of hot water to weaken it, anda 
slop-bowl, or else many persons will drink their tea. 
much stronger than they wish. 

Let it ever be remembered, that the burning of lights 
and the breath of guests, are constantly exhausting the 
air of its healthful principle ; therefore avoid crowding 
many guests into one room. Do not tempt the palate 
by a great variety of unhealthful dainties. Have a 
warm room for departing guests, that they may not 
become chilled before they go out. 

A parlor should be furnished with candle and fire 
screens, for those who have weak eyes; and if, at table, 
a person sits with the back near the fire, a screen should 
be hung on the back of the chair, as it is very injurious 
to the whole system to have the back heated. 

30* D. F 


~ 






















Pretty baskets, for flowers or fruits, on. cone t z 
can be made thus. Knit, with coarse needles, all t 
various shades of green. and brown, into a square pie: 
Press it with a hot iron, and then ravel it out. 
pretty shaped wicker basket, or make one of stil 
net, or thin pasteboard, cut the worsted into bun 
and sew them on, to. resemble moss. Then line 
basket, and set a cup or dish of water in it, to hold 
flowers, or use it for a fruit-basket. ‘Handsome. fire- 
boards are made, by nailing black. foundation-muslin 1 0 
a frame the size of the fireplace ; and then cutting | out 
flowers, fron wall-paper, and pasting them ‘on the mus- ‘ 
lin, according to the fancy.» Sen 

India rubber, melted -in lamp-oil, a brushed over om 
common shoes, keeps water out, perfectly. Keep small. a 
whisk brooms, wherever gentlemen hang their clothes, 
both up stairs and down, and get them to use hem if ag 
you can. a 

Boil new earthen in bran-water, putting the articles | 
in, when cold. Do the same with porcelain kettles. 
Never leave wooden vessels:out. of doors, as they fall to — 
pieces. In Winter, lift the handle of a pump, and a 
cover it with blankets, to keep it from freezing. * 

Broken earthen ann china, can. often be mended, by a 
tying it up, and boiling it in milk. Diamond cement, — 
- when genuine, is very effectual for the same purpose, 
Old putty can be softened by muriatic acid. Nail slats 
across. nursery windows. Scatter ashes ‘on slippery i ice, a 
at the door; or rather, remove it. Clarify ered Re 
water ibe powdered alum, a teaspoonful to a barrel 








NOTE, 355* 


- Avolume, entitled Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt Book, prepared 


by the author of this work, under the supervision of several expeti- 


enced housekeepers, is designed as a Supplement to this treatise on 
Domestic Economy. The following Preface and Analysis of the Con- 
tents will indicate its design more fully: - =~ . 


' Preface (for Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt Book.) 


he following objects are aiméd at in this work: . 
_ First, to furnish an original collection of receipts, which shall em- 


brace a great variety of simple and well-cooked dishes, designed for 
every-day comfort and enjoyment. . 

Second; to include in the collection only such receipts as have been 
tested by superior housekeepers, and warranted to be the best. It is 
not-a book made up in any department by copying from other books, 
but entirely from the experience of the best practical housekeepers. 

Third, to express every receipt in language which is short, simple, 
and perspicuous, and yet to give all directions so minutely as that 
the book can be kept in the kitchen, and. be used by any domestic 
who can read, as a guide in every one of her employments in the 


_ kitchen. 


Fourth, to furnish such directions in regard to small dinner-parties 


and evening company as will enable any young housekeeper to per- 


form her part, on such occasions, with ease, comfort, and'success. 
Fifth, to present a good supply of the rich and elegant dishes de- 
manded at such entertainments, and yet to set forth so large and 
tempting a variety of what is safe, healthful, and good, in connexion 
with such warnings and suggestions as it is hoped may avail to pro- 
mote a more healthful fashion in regard both to entertainments and 
to daily table supplies. No book of this kind will. sell without an ad- 
equate supply of the rich articles which custom requires, and in fur- 
nishing them, the writer has aimed to follow. the example of Provi- 
dence, which scatters profusely both good and ill, and combines there- 
with the caution alike of experience, revelation, and conscience, 
* choose ye that which is good, that ye and your seed may live.” 
Sizth, in the work on Domestic Economy, together with this, to 
which it is a Supplement, the writer has attempted to secure, in a 
eheap and popular form, for American housekeepers, a work similar 
to an English work which she has examined, entitled the Encyclopa- 


dia of Domestic Economy, by Thomas Webster and Mrs. Parkes, con- 


taining over twelve hundred octavo pages of closely-printed: matter. 
treating on every department of Domestic Economy ; a work which 
will be found much more useful to English women, who have a plenty 
of money and well-trained servants, than to Ainerican housekeepers. 
It is believed that most in that work which would be of any practical 
use to American housekeepers, will be found in this work and the 
Dome8tic Economy. 

Lastly, the writer has aimed to avoid the defects complained of by 
most housekeepers in regard to works of this description issued in 
this country, or sent from England, such as that, in some eases, the’ 
receipts are so rich as to be both expensive and unhealthful ; in others, 
that they are so vaguely expressed as to be very imperfect guides; in 








3567 . 3 : NOTE. 


others, that the processes are so elaborate and fussing as to make 
‘double the work that is needful; and in others, that the topics are so 
limited that some departments are Soe omitted, and. all are in- 

complete. ne: 

In accomplishing these objects, the writer has. received PORE 
tions of the pen, and verbal communications from some of the most 
judicious and practical housekeepers, in almost erehyy section of athis 
country. 

The following embraces most of the topics contained in this ee 

Suggestions to young housekeepers in regard to style, furniture, — 
and domestic arrangements. —_ - 

Suggestions in regard to different modes to be pursued both with . 
foreign and American domestics. 

On providing a proper supply of family stores, on the economical 
care and use of,them, and-on the furniture and wee oy of a 
store-closet. é 

On providing a proper supply of utensils ¢o be used i in cooking, with 
drawings to illustrate. ; 

On the proper construction of ovens, and directions for a ie 
and managing them. , ‘a 

Directions for securing good yeast and good bread. . { 

Advice in regard to marketing, the purchase of wood, &c. an 

Receipts for breakfast dishes, biscuits, warm cakes, tea cals: &e a 

Receipts for puddings, cakes, pies, preserves, pickles, sauces, cate = 
sups, and also for cooking all the various kinds of meats, soups, and a 
vegetables. Me 

The above receipts are arranged so that the more healthful and sim- 
pleiones are put in one portion, and the richer ones in another. z 

Healthful and favourite articles of food for young children. e 

Receipts for a variety of temperance drinks. ‘oe 

Directions for making tea, coffee, chocolate, and stuck warm drinks. 

Directions for cutting up meats, and for oulne down, ' corny ‘cue 
ring, and smoking. 

Directions for, making butter and cheese, as furnished by a gracte 
eal and scientific manufacturer of the same, of Goshen, Conn., that 
land of rich butter and cheese. 

A guide to a selection of-a regular course of family dishes, which 
will embrace a successive variety, and unite convenience with good taste 
and comfortable living. 

Receipts for articles for the sick, and drawings of conveniences for 
their comfort and relief. 

Receipts for articles for evening parties and dinner paveiaes with 
drawings to show the proper manner of setting tables, and of supply- 
ing and arranging dishes, both on these, and on ordinary occasions.- 

An outline of arrangements for a family in moderate circumstances, 

embracing the systematic details of work for each domestic, and the 
proper mode of doing it, as furnished by an accomplished housekeeper. 

Remarks on the different nature of food and drinks, and their re- 
lation to the laws of health. 4 

Suggestions to the domestics of a family, designed to promote a ‘i 
proper appreciation of the dignity and importance of their soe and 
a cheerful and faithful performance of their duties, 

Miscellaneous_suggestions and receipts. 


2+... cs. 


Cee on 


sete Sir en Leh 


‘ 


PE Sah age See eee tas 


a Aa 


cast ci 8 r a? 
ad " as © dy a | 


cd a 4 4 





A GLOSSARY 


OF SUCH WORDS AND PHRASES AS MAY NOT EASILY BE 
UNDERSTOOD BY THE YOUNG READER. 


a [Many words, not contained in this Guossary, will be found ex 
ped in the body of the Work, in the places where they first occur 
or these, see InpEx.] 


Academy, the Boston, an association in Boston, established for the pur- 
__, _ pose of promoting the study and culture of the art of music. 

Action brought by the Commonwealth, a prosecution conducted in the 

name of the public, or by the authority of the State. 

Alcoholic, made of; or containing, alcohol, an inflammable liquid, 
which is the basis of ardent spirits. 

Alkali, (plural alkalies,) a chemical substance, which has the property . 
of combining with, and neutralizmg the properties of, acids, pro- 

~ ducing salts by the combination. Alkalies change most of the 
vegetable blues and purples to green, red to purple, and yellow tc, 
brown. Caustic alkali, an alkali deprived of all impurities, being 
thereby rendered more caustic and violent in its operation. This 
term is usually applied to pure potash. Fixed alkali, an alkali that 
emits no characteristic smell, and cannot be volatilized or evaporated 
without great difficulty. Potash and soda are called the fixed alka- 
lies. Soda is also called a fossil, or mineral, alkali, and potash, the 
vegetable alkali. Volatile alkalt,an elastic, transparent, colorless, 
and consequently invisible gas, known by the name of ammonia, or 
ammoniacal gas. . The odor of spirits of hartshorn. is caused by 
this gas. 

Anglo-American, English-American, relating to Americans descended 
from English ancestors. 

Anne, Queen, a Queen of England, who reigned from A. D. 1702, to 
1714. She was the daughter of James II., and succeeded to the 
throne on the death of William III. She died, August 1, 1714, in 
the fiftieth year of her age. She was not a woman of very great 
intellect ; but was deservedly popular, throughout her reign, being 

" a model of conjugal and maternal duty, and always intending to do 
good. She was honored with the title of ‘Good Queen Anne, 
which showed the opinion entertained of her virtues by the people. 

Anotta, Annoito, Arnotta, or Rocou, a soft, brownish-red substance, 
prepared from the reddish pulp surrounding the seeds of a tree, 
which grows in the West Indies, Guiana, and cther parts of South 
America, called the Biza orellana. It is used asadye. | 

Anther, that part of the stamen of a flower which contains the pol- 
len or farina, a sort of mealy powder or dust, which -is necessary 
to the production of the flower. 

Anthracite, one of the most valuable kinds of mineral coal, containing 
no bitumen. It is very abundant in the United States. 

Apertent, opening. 





> 







356 GLOSSARY. 


Apple-corer, an instrument lately invented for the purpose of dive 
apples of their cores 

Arabic, gum, see Gum Arabic. . 3 

Archeology, a discourse or treatise on antiquities. — Ae Ftc 

Arnotto, see Anotta. 

Arrow-root, a white powder, obtained from the fecula or dinack af 
several species of tuberous plants in the East and West Indies, 
Bermuda, and other places. That from Bermuda is most highly bs 
esteemed. It is used as an article for-the table, in the form of 
puddings; and also as a highly-nutritive, easily-digested, and 
agreeable, food, for invalids. It-derives its name irom having been 
originally used ‘by the Indians, as a remedy for the poison of es 
arrows, by mashing and applying it to the wound. 

Articulating process, the protuberance, or projecting part of a. bine 
by which it is so joined to another ee as to enable the two to 

_ move upon each other. s. 

4sceticism, the state of an ascetic, or hermit; who fies from society 

and lives in retirement, or who practises a greater degree of morti- 
fication and austerity than others do, or who, inflicts, extraordinary i 
severities upon himself. ey 

Astral lamp, a lamp, the principle of which was invented by Benja- 
min Thompson, (a native of Massachusetts, and afterwards Count - \ 
Rumford,) in which the oil is contained in a large horizontal ring, K 
having, at the centre, a burner, which communicates with the ring = 
by tubes. “The ring is placed a little below the level-of the flame, a 
and, from its large surface, affords a supply of oil for many Bacal fs 

Astute, shrewd. > a 

Auld Robin Gray, a celebrated Scotch song, in which a young woman- 
laments her having married an old rich man, whom she did not : 
love, for the sake of providing for her poor parents. 

Aur icles, (from a Latin word, signifying the ear,) the name given to 
two appendages of the heart, from their fancied resemblance to_ 
the ear. 

Bagliwi, (George,) an eminent physician, who. was born at Ragusa, 
in 1668, and was educated at Naples and Paris. Pope Clement 
X1V., on the ground of his great merit, appointed him, while a 
very young man, Professor of Anatomy ‘and Surgery in the Col- 
lege of Sapienza, at Rome. He wrote several works, and did much ~ 
to promote the cause of medical science. - He died, A. D. 1706. 

Bass, or bass wood, a large forest tree of Ansetibal sometimes called 
the lime-tree. The wood is white and soft, and the bark is some-— 
times used for bandages, as mentioned in. page 343. 

Beau Nash, see Nash. 

Bell, Sir Charles, a celebrated surgeon, who was born in Edinburgh, 
in the year 1778. He commenced his career in ‘London, in 1806, 
as a lecturer on Anatomy .and Surgery. In 1830, he received ‘the 
honors of knighthood, and in 1836 was appointed Professor of Sur- 
gery in the Seedy of Edinburgh. He died near Worcester, in 

ngland, April 29, 1842. His writings are very numerous, and 
have been much celebrated... Among the most important of these, 
to general readers, are, his Illustrations of Paley’s Natural Theol 
ogy, (which work forms the second and third volumes of the larger 
series of ‘Tur Scnoor Liprary,’ issued by the Publishers of this : 
yolume,) and his treatise on ‘ The Hand, its Mechanism, ond a 
Vital Endowments, as evincing. Design. 


Chino 
&,. a 


> 


SO ee, CT ee ee ae See 4 


et ee eee 


see ae ea 


GLOSSARY, | Sh: 






Bergamot, a fruit, which was originally produced by ingrafting a ~ 
__ branch of a citron or lemon tree, upon the stock of a peculiar kind 
of pear, called the bergamot pear. 

Biased, cut diagonally from one corner to another of a square or rect- 
angular piece of cloth. Bias pieces, triangular pieces cut as above 
‘mentioned. : 

Bituminous, containing bitumen, which is an inflammable mineral 

substance, resembling tar or pitch in its properties and_ uses. 
if Among different bituminous substances, the names naphtha and 

Be. petroleum have been given to those which are fluid; maltha, to 

_ that which has the consistence of pitch; and asphaltum, to that 

which is solid. ; 

Blight, a disease in plants, by which they are blasted, or prevented 

from producing fruit. ~ 
- Blond lace, lace made of silk. 

Blood heat, the temperature which the blood is always found to main 

_ tain, or ninety-eight degrees of Fahrenheit’s thermometer. 

Blue vitriol, sulphate of copper. See Sulphate. 

Blunts, needles of a short and thick shape, distinguished from Sharps, 
which are long and slender. 

Bocking, a kind of thin carpeting, or coarse baize. 

Boston Academy, see Academy. 

Botany, (from a Greek word, signifying an herb,) a knowledge of 
plants ; the science which treats of plants. 

Brazil wood, the central part, or heart, of a large tree which grows in 

_ Brazil, called the Cesalpinia echinata. It produces very lively and 
beautiful red tints, but they are not permanent. 

Bronze, a metallic composition, consisting of copper and tin. 

Brilure, a French term, denoting a burning: or scalding ; a blasting 
of plants. 

Brussels, (carpet,) a kind of carpeting, so called from the city of Brus- 

- sels, in Europe. Its basis is composed of a warp and woof of strong 
linen threads, with the warp of which are intermixed about five 
times the quantity of woollen threads, of different colors. — 

Bulb, a root with a round body, like the onion, turnip, or hyacinth. 

_ Bulbous, having a bulb. 

Byron, (George Gordon,) Lord, a celebrated Poet, who was born in 
‘London, January 22, 1788, and died in Missolonghi, in Greece, 
April 18 1824. 

Calisthenics, see page 56, note. 

Camwoed, a dyewood, procured from a leguminous (or pod-bearing) 
tree, growing on the Western Coast of Africa, and called Baplua 

_ nitida. | 

Cankerworm, a worm which is very destructive to trees and plants. 
It springs from an egg deposited by a miller that issues from the 
ground, and in some years destroys the leaves and fruit of apple 
and other trees. 

Carbon, a simple inflammable body, forming the principal part of wood 
and coal, and the whole of the diamond. 

«Carbonic acid, a compound gas, consisting of carbon and oxygen. It 
has lately been obtained in a sclid form. 

Carmine, a crimson color, the most beautiful of all the reds. It is 
prepared from a decoction of the powdered cochineal insect, to 
which alum and other substances are added. 








358 GLOSSARY. 


€aster, a small phial or vessel for the table, in which to put vinegar, 
mustard, pepper, &c. eR nie 
‘hancellor of the Exchequer, the highest judge.of the law ; the prin- 
cipal financial minister of a government, and the one who manages _ 
its revenue. ~ <4 ate ; peat 

Chateau, a castle, a mansion. Niet | 

Chemistry, the science which treats of the elementary constituents of _ 


bodies. | rae 4 
Chinese belle, deformities of. -In China, it is the fashion to compress ; 
the feet of female infants, to prevent their growth ; in consequence a 
of which, the feet of all the females of China are distorted, and so _ ig 
small, that the individuals cannot walk with ease. ole. a 
Chloride, a compound of chlorine and some other substance. Chlorine _ ‘ 
is a simple substance, formerly called oxymuriatic acid. In its 
pure state, it is a gas, of green color, (hence its name, from a Greek - ; 
_ word, signifying green.) Like oxygen, it supports the combustion — ' 
of some inflammable substances. Chloride of lime is a compound of 5 


chlorine and lime. a li: 
Cholera infantum, a bowel complaint, to which infants are subject. 
Chyle, a white juice, formed from the chyme, and consisting of the 

finer and more nutritious parts of the food. It is afterwards con- 

verted into blood. rie Se an 

Chyme, the result of the first process which food undergoes in the 
stomach, previously to its being converted into chyle. 

Cicuta, the common American Hemlock, an annual plant of four or 
five feet in height, and found commonly along walls and fences, 
and about old ruins and buildings. It is a virulent poison, as well as 
one of the most important and valuable medicinal vegetables. It is 
a very different plant from the Hemlock tree, or Pinus Canadensis. 

Clarke, (Sir Charles Mansfield,) Dr., a distinguished English physi 
cian and surgeon, who was born in London, May 28,1782. He 
was appointed Physician to Queen Adelaide, wife of King William 
IV., in 1830, and in 1831, he was created a baronet. e is the 
author of several valuable medical works. ime 

Cobalt, a brittle metal, of a reddish-gray color and weak metallic lus- 
ae used in coloring glass. It is not easily melted nor oxidized in 
the air. 

Cochineal, a color procured from the cochineal insect, (or Coccus cacti,) 
which feeds upon the leaves of several species of the plant called 
cactus, and which is supposed to derive its coloring matter from its. 
food. Its natural color is crimson ; but by the addition of a prepara 
tion of potash, it yields a rich scarlet dye. 

Cologne water, a fragrant perfume, which derives its name from hay- 
ing been originally made in the city of Cologne, which is situated 
on the River Rhine, in Germany. The best kind is still procured 
from that city. bial 

Comparative anatomy, the science which has for its object a compari- 
son of the anatomy, structure, and functions, of the various organs 
of animals, plants, &c., with those of the human body. | 

Confection, a sweetmeat; a preparation of fruit with sugar; also a- 
preparation of medicine with honey, sirup, or similar saccharine sub- 
stance, for the purpose of disguising the unpleasant taste of the 
medicine. ' ; SP 

Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, a celebrated English surgeon, who was 
born at Brooke, in Norfolk county, England, August 23, 1768, and 






oat 


he GLOSSARY. 359 


_- €ommenced the practice of Surgery in London, in 1792. He was 


appointed Surgeon to King George IV., in 1827, was created a 
baronet in 1821, and died February 12, 1341. He was the author 
_ of many valuable works. 

Copal, a hard, shining, transparent resin, of a light citron color, 

brought, originally, from Spanish America, and now almost wholly 
from the East Indies. It is principally employed in the preparation © 
of copal varnish. 

Copper, sulphate of, see Sulphate of copper. 

Copperas, (sulphate of iron, or green vitriol,) a bright green mineral 
substance, formed by the decomposition of a peculiar ore of iron, 
called pyrites, which is a sulphuret of iron. It is first in the 

form of a greenish-white powder, or crust, which is dissolved 

im water, and beautiful green crystals of copperas are obtained by 

evaporation. It is principally used in dyeing, and in making black 

ink. Its solution, mixed with a decoction of oak bark, produces a 

black color. 

Coronary, relating to a crown or garland. In anatomy, it_is applied 
to arteries which encompass the heart, in the manner, as it 1s fan- 
cied, of a garland. : . 

Corrosive sublimate, a poisonous substance, composed of chlorine and 

quicksilver. : 


_ Cosmetics, preparations which some people foolishly think will pre- 


serve and beautify the skin. 

Cream of tartar, see Tartar. 

Crimping-iron, an instrument for crimping or curling rufiles, &c. 

Curculio, a weevil or worm, which affects the fruit of the plum tree, 
and sometimes that of the apple tree, causing the unripe fruit to fall 
to the ground. 

Curvature of the spine, see pages 80, 81. 

Cuvier, Baron, the most eminent naturalist of the present age, was 
born, A. D. 1769, and died, A. D. 1832. “He was Professor of Nat- 
ural History in the College of France, and held various important 
posts under. the French Governmient, at different times. His works 
on Natural History are of the greatest value. — 

Cynosure, the star near the North Pole, by which sailors steer. It 
is used, in a figurative sense, as synonymous with pole-star, or 
guide. > 

De Tocqueville, see Tocqueville. 

Diamond cement, a cement sold in the shops, and used for mending 
broken glass, and similar articles. — 

Drab, a-thick woollen cloth, of a light brown or dun color. The 
name is sometimes used for the color itself. 

Dredging-box, a box with holes in the top, used to sift or scatter flour 
on meat, when roasting. pits 

Drill, (in husbandry,) to sow grain in rows, drills, or channels; the 
row of grain so sowed. 

Duchess of Orleans, see Orleans. ; : 

The East, and the Eastern States, those of the United States sit- 
uated in the north-east part of the Country, including Maine, 
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and 
Vermont. : 

Electuary, a mixture, consisting of medicinal substances, especially dry 
powders, combined with honey or sirup, in order to render them 
less unpleasant to the taste, and more convenient for internal use. 

3! 







360 GLOSSARY. 


, : pet . 
Elevation, (of a house,) a plan, representing the upright view of a 
_ house, as a ground-plan shows its appearance on the ground. 
Euclid, a celebrated mathematician, who was born in Alexandria, in 

Egypt, about two hundred and eighty years before Christ. He dis-- 
tinguished himself by his writings on music and geometry. The — 
most celebrated of his works, is his ‘ Elements of Geometry,’ which — 

_ is in use at the present day. He established aschool at Alexandria, _ 
_ which became so famous, that, from his time to the conquest. of 
- Alexandria by the Saracens, (A. D. 646,) no mathematician was 
_ found, who had not studied at Alexandria. Ptolemy, King of — 

Egypt, was one of his pupils; and it was to a, question of this 
King, whether there were nota shorter way of coming at Geom- — 
etry, than by the study of his Elements, that Euclid made the 
celebrated answer, ‘‘ There is no royal way, or path, to Geometry.” 
Equator, or equinoctial line, an imaginary line, passing round the 
earth, from east to west, and directly under the sun, which always 
shines nearly perpendicularly down upon all countries situated near 
the equator. ‘S . 
Evolve, to throw off, to discharge. “ah bine aaa ‘ 
Exchequer, a court in England, in which the Chancellor presides, and 
where the revenues of, and debts due to, the King are recovered. 
This court was originally established by King William, (called ‘ the 
Conqueror,’). who died A. D. 1087; and its name is derived from a 
checkered cloth, (French echiquier, a chess-board, checker-work,) 
on the table. ' i Page 
Excretion, something discharged from the body, a separation of animal 
matters. : * a. 
Excrementitious, consisting of matter excreted from the body; contain- © 
ing excrements. Sais i hed J 
Fahrenheit, (Gabriel Daniel,) a celebrated natural philosopher, who 
was born at Dantzic, A. D. 1686. He made great improyements 
in the thermometer ; and his name is sometimes used for that in- 
strument. 5 age 3 Jabs 
Farinaceous, mealy, tasting like meal. , ; 
To Fell, to turn down, on the wrong side; the raw edges of a seam, 
after it has been stitched, run, or sewed, and then to hem or sew 
it to the cloth. ec aa a ¥' a 
Festivals, of the Jews, the three great annual. These were, the Feast 
of the Passover, that of Pentecost, and that of Tabernacles; on oc- 
casion of which, all the males of the Nation were required to visit 
the Temple_at Jerusalem, in. whatever part: of the-Country they. 
might reside. See Exodus xxiii. 14, 17, xxxiv. 23, Leviticus xxiit. 
4, Deuteronomy xvi. 16. The Passover was kept in commemoration 
of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, and was so named, 
becr.use, the night before their departure, the destroying angel, 
who slew all the first-born of the Egyptians, passed over the houses _ 
of the Israelites, without entering them. See Exodus xii. The — 
Feast of Pentecost was so called, from a word meaning the fiftieth, 
because it was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the Passover, and 
was instituted in commemoration of the giving of the Law from 
Mcunt Sinai, on the fiftieth day from the departure out of Egypt. 
It w also called the Feast of Weeks, because it was kept seven 
werks after the Passover. See Exodus xxxiv. 22, Leviticus xxii, 
15—21, Deuteronomy xvi. 9, 10. The Feast of Tabernacles, or 
Feast of Tents, was’so called, because it was celebrated under tents 
or tabernacles of green boughs; and was designed to commemorate 


% 





GLOSSARY. 361. 





_ their dwelling in tents, during their passage through the wilderness. 
At this Feast, they also returned thanks to God, for the fruits of the 

_ earth, after they had been gathered. See Exodus xxiii. 16, Leviti- 

3 -cus xxiii. 34d—44, Deuteronomy xvi. 13, and also St. John vii. 2. 

F, . Fire blight, a disease in the pear, and some other fruit trees, in which 

r. they appear burnt, as if by fire. It is supposed, by some, to be 

caused by an insect’ others suppose it to be caused by an over- 

. abundance of sap. : 

gs Fluting-iron, an instrument for making flutes, channels, furrows, 01 

> hollows, in ruffles, &c: > .. 

Foundation muslin, a nice kind of buckram, stiff and white, used for 

: . the foundation or basis of bonnets, &c. 

Free States, those States in which slavery. is not allowed, as distin- 
guished from Slave States, in which slavery does exist. 

French chalk, a variety of the mineral called talc, unctuous to the 

_ touch, of a greenish color, glossy, soft, and easily scratched, and 
leaving a silvery line, when drawn on paper. It is used for mark- 
ing on cloth, and-extracting grease-spots. 

Fuller’s earth, a-species of clay, remarkable for its property of ab- 
sorbing oil; for which reason it is. valuable for extracting grease 
from cloth, &c. It is used by fullers, in scouring and cleansing 
cloth, whence its name. 

Fustic, the wood of a tree which grows in the West Indies, called 
Morus tinctoria. It-affords a durable, but not very brilliant, yellow 

-_ dye, and is also. used in producing some greens and drab colors. 

Gastric, (from the Greek yaotio, gaster, the belly,) belonging or re- 
lating to the belly, or stomach. Gastric juice, the fluid which dis- 
solves the food in the stomach. It is limpid, like water, ofa saltish, 
taste, and without odor. 

Geology, the science which treats of the earth, as composed of rocks 
and stones. . : 3 

Gore, a triangular piece of cloth. Goring, cut in a triangular shape. 

Gothic, a peculiar and strongly-marked style of architecture, some- 
times called the ecclesiastical style, because it is most frequently 
used in cathedrals, churches, abbeys, and other religious edifices. 
Its principle seems to have originated in the imitation of groves 
and bowers, under which the ancients performed their sacred 
rites ; its clustered pillars and pointed arches very well represent- 
ing the trunks of trees and their interlocking branches. 

Gourmand, or Gormand, a glutton, a greedy eater. In agriculture, it 
is applied to twigs which take up.the sap, but bear. only leaves. 

Green vitriol, see Copperas. 

Griddle, an iron ‘pan, of a peculiarly broad and shallow construction, 
used for baking cakes. a 

Ground-plan, the map or plan of the lower floor of any building, n 
which the various apartments, windows, doors, fireplaces, and 
other things, are represented, like the rivers, towns, mountains, 
roads, &c., on a map. 

Gum Arabic, a vegetable juice which exudes through the bark of the 
Acacia, Mimosa -nilotica, and some other similar trees, growing in 
Arabia, Egypt, Senegal, and Central Africa It is the purest of all 

ums. 

aeradaaes the hard, unbroken layer of earth, below the mould or cul- 
tivated soil. . . 

Hartshorn, (spirits of,) a volatile alkali, originally prepared from the 

D. E. 





a GLOSSARY. 


horns of the stag or hart, but now procured from various. | other 
substances. It is known by. the name of ammonia, or ie of i 


ammonia. 
Hemlock, see Cicuta. ere 
Horticulturist, one skilled in horticulture, or the art of cultivating — 
gardens , horticulture being to the garden, what agriculture is to 
the farm, the application of labor and science to a limited spot, 
for convenience, for profit, or for ornament,—though implying a 
higher state of cultivation, than is.common in agriculture. It in- 
cludes the cultivation of culinary vegetables and of fruits, and 
forcing or exotic gardening, as far as respects useful products. _ 
Hoskin’s gloves, gloves made by a person named Hoskin, whose 
manufacture was formerly much celebrated. 
Hydrogen, a very light, inflammable gas, of which water is, in part, 
composed. It is used to inflate balloons. 


~ 


Hypochondriasis, melancholy, dejection, a disorder of the imagination, “ge 


in which the person supposes he is afflicted with various diseases. 

Hysteria, or hysterics, a spasmodic, convulsive affection of the nerves, 
to which women are subject. It is somewhat sumiar to hypochon-- 
driasis in men. 


Ingrain, a kind of carpeting, in which the threads are. dyed in the | 


grain, or raw material, before manufacture. 

Ipecac, (an abbreviation of ipecacuanha,) an Indian medicinal plant, 
acting as an emetic. 

Isinglass, a fine kind of gelatin, or glue, prepared from the swimming- 
bladders of fishes, used as a cement, and also as an ingredient in 
food and medicine. The name is sometimes applied to a trans- 
parent mineral substance called mica. 

Kamtschadales, inhabitants of Kamtschatka, a large peninsula situ- 
ated on the northeastern coast of Asia, having the North Pacific 
Ocean on the east. It is remarkable for its extreme cold, which is 
heightened by a range of very lofty mountains, extending the 
whole length of the peninsula, several of which are voleanic. It 
is very deficient m_ vegetable productions, but produces a great 
variety of animals, from which the richest and most valuable furs. 
are procured. ‘The inhabitants are in general below the common 
height, but have broad shoulders and large heads. Iti is under me 
dominion of Russia. 

Kink, a knotty twist in a thread or rope. 

Lapland, a country at the extreme north part of Pe where it 18 
very cold. It contains lofty mountains, some of which are covered 
with perpetual snow and ice. 

Latin, the language of the Latins, or inhabitants of Latium, the principal 
country of ancient Italy. After the building of Rome, that city 
became the capital of the whole country. 

Leguminous, pod-bearing. 

Lent, a fast of the Christian Church, (lasting forty days, from Ash 
Wednesday to Easter,) in commemoration of our Saviour’s miracu 
lous fast of forty days and forty nights, in the wilderness. The 
word Lent means spring ; this fast always occurring at that season 
of the year. 

Levite, one of the tribe of Levi, the son of Jacob, which tribe was set 
apart from the others, to minister in the services of the Tabernacle, 
and the Temple at Jerusalem. The Priests were taken from this 
tribe. See Numbers i. 47—53. 


1 j E 
fom pele, Oe US Fe Tn ye, eee 





ae: 


25 e et. A 


C8 
nt 


Bae 





GLOSSARY. 363 
; , i 

Ley, water which has percolated through ashes, earth, or other sub- 

| _ stances, dissolving and imbibing a part of their contents. It is 

3 __ generally spelled (ze, or lye. | ‘: 

ie Linneus, (Charles,) a native of Sweden, and the most celebrated 

. naturalist of his age. He was born May 13, 1707, and died Janu- 

; ary 11,1778. His life was devoted to the study of natural history. 

The science of botany, in particular, is greatly indebted to his la- 

bors. His ‘ 4menitutes Academice’ (Academical Recreations) is a 

collection of the dissertations of his pupils, edited by himself; a 

- work rich in matters relating to the history and habits of plants. 

. _ He was the first who arranged Natural History into a regular sys- 

_tem, which has been generally called by his name. His proper 
name was Linné. 

Lobe, a division, a distinct part ; generally applied to the two divisions 
of the lungs.’ % 

Log Cabin, a cabin or house built of logs, as is generally the case in 
newly-settled countries. ; 

Loire, the largest river of France, being about five hundred and fifty 
‘miles in length. It rises in the mountains of Cevennes, and empties 
into the Atlantic Ocean, about forty miles below the city of Nantes. 
It divides France into two almost equal parts. j 

London Medical Society, a distinguished association, formed in 1773. 
It has published some valuable volumes of its Transactions. It has 
a library, of about 40,000 volumes, which is kept in a house pre- 
sented to the Society, in 1788, by the celebrated Dr. Lettsom, who 
was one of its first members. 

Louis XIV., a celebrated King of France and Navarre, who was born 
' Sept. 5, 1638, and died Sept: 1,1715. His mother having before had 
no children, though she had been married twenty-two years, his birth 
was considered as a particular favor from heaven, and he was called 
the ‘ Gift of God.’ He is sometimes styled ‘ Louis the Great,’ and. 
his reign is celebrated as an era of magnificence and learning, and 
is notorious as a period of licentiousness. He left behind him 
monuments of unprecedented splendor.and expense, consisting of 
palaces, gardens, and other like works. ; 

Lumbar, (froma the Latjn lumbus, the loin,) relating or pertaining to 
the loins. 
Lunacy, writ of, a judicial proceeding, to ascertain whether a person 

be a lunatic. wy 

Mademoiselle, the French word for Miss, a young girl. 

Magnesia, a light and white alkaline earth, which enters into. the 
composition of many rocks, communicating to them a greasy or 
soapy feeling, and a striped texture, with sometimes a greenish © 
color. 

Malaria, (Italian, mal’aria, bad air,) a noxious vapor or exhalation; a 
state of the atmosphere or soil, or both, which, in certain regions, 
and in warm weather, produces fever, sometimes of great violence. 

Mammon, riches, the Syrian god of riches. See St. Luke, xvi. 11, 
13, St. Matthew, vi. 24. 

Martineau, (Harriet,) a woman who has become somewhat celebrated 
by her book of travels in the United States, and by other works. 

Mexico, a country situated southwest of the United States, and ex 
-tending to the Pacific Ocean. : / 

Miasms, such particles or atoms, as are supposed to arise from dis- 
tempered, putrefying, or poisonous bodies. 


364. —Cy _ GLOSSARY. 







Michilimackinac, or Mackinac, (now frequently corrupted into J 

- tnaw, which is the usual pronunciation of the name,) a milita 
post in the State of Michigan, situated upon an island about nin: 
miles in circuit, in the strait which connects Lakes Michigan and 
Huron: It is much resorted ‘to by Indians and fur traders. The 
highest summit of the island is about three hundred feet phe Sg 
lakes, and commands an extensive view of them. 

Midsummer, with us, the time when the sun arrives at his greatest te 
distance from the equator, or about the twenty-first of June, ~ 
called, also, the summer solstice, (from the Latin sol, the sun, 
and sto, to stop or stand still,) because, when the sun reaches 
this point, he seems to stand still for some time, and then ap- 
pears to retrace his steps. The days are then longer haces at 
any other time. 7 

Migrate, to remove from one place to another ; to. change recite 

Mildew, a disease of plants ; a mould, spot, or stain, in paper, slotiey 
&c,, caused by moisture. 

Militate, to oppose, to operate against. : 4 

Millinet, a coarse kind of: stiff muslin, forms, sdaed ‘for the foutida, 

~ tion or basis of bonnets, &c: 

Mineralogy, a science which treats of the inorganic natural sudeoiees 

_ found upon or in the earth, such as earths, salts, metals, &e., and 
which are called by the general name of minerals. . ; 

Minutie, the smallest particulars. 

Monasticism, monastic life; religiously recluse life, 1 in a monastery, 
or house of religious retirement. 

Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, one of the most celebrated among the 
female literary characters of England. She was daughter of Eve- 
lyn, Duke of Kingston, and was born about 1690, at Thoresby, i in 
England. She displayed uncommon abilities, at a very early age, 
and was educated by the best masters in the English, Latin, Greek, 
and French, languages. She acecomipanied her husband "Edward 
Wortley Montagu) on an embassy to Constantinople, and her cor- 

_ respondence with her friends was published and much admired. 
She introduced the practice of inoculation for~the smallpox into — 
England, which proved of hie benefit to, millions. She died at 
the age of seventy-two, A. D. 1762. 

Moral Philosophy, the- science which treats of the motives and rules | 
of human actions, and of the ends to which they pee to be di- 
rected. 

Moreen, a kind of woollen stuff used for curtains, covers of eehieiey 
bed hangings, &c. 

» Mucous, having the nature of mucus, a glutinous, sticky, thready, 
transparent fluid, of a salt savor, produced by different membranes 
of the body, and serving to protect the membranes and other in- 
ternal parts against the action of the air, food, &c. The fluid of 
the mouth and nose is mucus. 

Mucous membrane, that membrane which lines the’ mouth, nose, in 
testines, and other open cavities of the body. 

Muriatic acid, an acid, composed of chlorine and hydrogen, cates 
also, hydrochloric acid, and spirit of salt. 

Mush-stick, a stick to-use in stirring mush, which is corn meal boiled 
in, water, 

Nankeen, or Ni ankin, a light cotton cloth, originally brought from 
Nankin, in China, whence its name. 











GLOSSARY. 365 


Ua 
ye 


oi Nash, (Richard, commonly called Rion Nash, or King of Bath, a 


_ celebrated leader of the fashions in England. He was born at 
_ Swansea, in South Wales, October 8, 1674, and died in the city of 
Bath, (England,) February 3, 1761. ; 
Natural History, the history of animals, plants, and minerals. 
Natural Philosophy, the science which treats of the powers of Nature, 
_ the properties of natural bodies, and their action one upon another. 
It is sometimes called physics. 
New-2ileh cow, a cow which has recently calved. 2 
| Newton, (Sir Isaac,) an eminent English philosopher and mathemati- 
_ cian, who was born on Christmas day, 1642, and died March 20, 
1727. He was much distinguished for his very important discove- 
ries in Optics and other branches of Natural Philosophy. See the 
first volume of ‘ Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties,’ forming 
_ the fourteenth volume of ‘Tur Scuoor Lizrary,’ Larger Series. 
Non-bearers, plants which bear no flowers nor fruit. 
Northern States, those of the United States situated in the Northern 
and Eastern part of the Country. 
Ordinary, see Physician in Ordinary. st 
Oil of Vitriol, (sulphuric acid, or vitriolic acid,) an acid composed of 
oxygen and sulphur. ‘ : 
Orleans, (Elizabeth Charlotte de Baviére,) Duchess of, second wife of 
Philippe, the brother of Louis XIV., was born at Heidelberg, May 
- 26, 1652, and died at the palace of St. Cloud, in Paris, December 8, 
1722. She was author of several works; among. which were, Me 
“moirs, and Anecdotes, of the Court of Louis XIV. 
Ottoman, a kind of hassock, or thick mat, for kneeling upon; so called, 
from being used by the Ottomans or Turks. : 
Oxalic acid, a vegetable acid, which exists in sorrel. 
Oxide, a compound (which is not acid) of a substance with oxygen; 
for example, oxide of iron, or rust of metals. : ay ; 
Oxidize, to combine oxygen with a body without producing acidity. 
Oxygen, vital air, a simple and very important substance, which exists 
in the atmosphere, and supports the breathing of animals and the 
burning of combustibles. It was called oxygen, from two Greek 
words, signifying to produce acid, from its power of giving acidity 
to many compounds in which it predominates. 

_ Oxygenized, combined with oxygen. 

Pancreas, a gland within the abdomen, just below and behind the 
stomach, and providing a fluid to assist digestion. In animals, it is_ 
called the sweet-bread. Puncreatic, belonging to the pancreas. 

Parterre, a level division of ground, a flower garden. . 

Pearlash, the common name for impure carbonate of potash, which, 
in a purer form, is called Sul eratus. 

Peristaltic, worm-like. 

Philosophy, see Intellectual, Moral, and Natural. — 

Physician in Ordinary to the Queen, the Physician who attends the 
Queen in ordinary cases of illness. 

Pistil, that part. of a flower, generally in the centre, composed of 
the germ, style, and stigma, which receives the pollen or fertilizing 
dust of the stamens. ; 

Pitt, William, a celebrated English statesman, son of the Earl of 
Chatham. He was born, May 28, 1759, and. at the age of twenty- 
three, was made Chancellor of the Exchequer, and soon afterward, 
Prime Minister. He died, January 23, 1806. 


ol* D. E. 






366 GLOSSARY. aa: 


Political Economy, the science which treats of the general causes 
affecting the production, distribution, and consumption, of article 
of exchangeable value, in reference to their effects upon national — 
wealth and welfare. ane )= ARR, ARs 

Pollen, the fertilizing dust of flowers, produced by the stamens, and. 
falling upon the pistils, in order to render a flower eapable of pro- 
ducing fruit or seed. nA ee Nees 

Potter’s clay, the clay used in making articles of pottery. __ a 

Prairie, a French word, signifying meadow. In the United States, it 
is applied to the remarkable natural meadows, or plains, which are 
‘found in the Western States. In some of these vast and nearly 
level plains, the traveller may wander for days, without meeting 
with wood or water, and see no object rising above the plane of the 

_ horizon. ‘They are very fertile. g ep lead, 

Prime Minister, the person appointed by the ruler of a nation to have 
the chief direction and management of the public affairs. — 

Process, a protuberance, or projecting part of a bone. idee, eyed: 

Pulmonary, belonging to, or affecting, the lungs. Pulmenary artery, 
an artery which passes through the lungs, being divided into seve- 
ral branches, which form a beautiful network over the air-vessels, 
and finally empty themselves into the left auricle of the heart. _ 

Puritans, a sect, which professed to follow the pure word ef God, in 
opposition to traditions, human constitutions, and other authorities. 
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, part of the Protestamts were de- 
sirous of introducing a simpler, and, as they eonsidered it, a purer, 
form of church government and worship, than that established by 
law ; from which circumstance, they were called Puritans. In pro- 
cess of time, this: party increased in numbers, and openly broke off 
from the Church, laying aside the: English liturgy, and adopting a 
service-book published at Geneva, by the disciples of Calvin. 
They were treated with great rigor by the Government, and many of 
them left the kingdom and settled in Holland. Finding themselves: 
not so eligibly situated in that Country, as they had expected to be, 

a portion of them embarked for America, and were the first settlers - : 
of New England. | ? “e ae 

Quixotic, absurd, romantic, ridiculous ; from Don Quixote, the hero of Eg 
a celebrated fictitious work, written by Cervantes, a distinguished 4 
Spanish writer, and intended .to reform the tastes and opinionsof . 
his countrymen. : AH a 

Reeking, smoking, emitting vapor. | ae a 

Residuum, the remainder, or part which remains. asi a 

Routine, a round, or course of engagements, business, pleasure, &e. 5 

Tu Run a seam, to lay the two edges of a seam together, and pass the 4 
threaded needle out and in, with small? stitehes, a few threads be- a 
low the edge, and on a line with-it. 7 

To Run a stocking, to pass a thread of yarn, with a needle, straight ; 
along each row of the stocking, as far as is: desired, taking up one oe 
loop and missing two or three, until the row is completed, so as ta ; 
double the thickness at the part which is run. ,) a 

Sabbatical year, every seventh year, among the Jews, whieh was a. ’ 
year of rest for the land, when it was to be left without culture. 
In this year, all debts-were to be remitted, and slaves set at liberty 
See Exodus xxi. 2, xxiii. 10, Leviticus xxv. 2,3, &e., Deuteronomy 
xv. 12, and other similar passages. : 

Sal e@ratus, see Pearlash, 


ra 
ee get ae 





' GLOSSARY. 367 


_ Sal ammoniac, a salt, called also muriate of ammonia, which derives 


its name from.a district in Libya, Egypt, where there was a tem- 
_ ple of Jupiter Ammon, and where this salt was found. 


_ Scotch Hightanders, inhabitants of the Highlands of Scotland. 
_ Selvedge, the edge of cloth, a border. Improperly written selvage. 
Service-book, a book prescribing the. order of public services in a 


-ehurch.or congregation. 
Sharps, see Blunts. 


_ Shorts, the coarser part of wheat bran. 


Shrubbery, a plantation of shrubs. 


ae Siberia, a large country in the extreme northern part of Asia, haviug 





the Frozen Ocean on the north, and the Pacific Ocean on the east, 
_ and forming a part of the Russian empire. The northern part is 
extremely cold, almost uncultivated, and contains but few inhabit- 
ants. It furnishes fine skins, and some of the most valuable furs 
in the world. It also contains rich mines of iron and copper, and 
‘several kinds of precious stones. . 
Sinclair, Sir John, of whom it was said, “‘ There is no greater name 
in the annals of agriculture, than his,’’ was born in Caithness, Scot- 
land, May 10, 1754, and became a member of the British Parlia- 
“ment in 1780. _He was strongly opposed to the. measures of the 
_ British Government towards America, which produced the Amer- 
ican Revolution. .He was author of many valuable publications, 
on various subjects. He died December 21, 1835. sy fehy 
Sirloin, the loin of beef.- The-appellation ‘Sir’ is the title of a 
knight, or baronet; and has been added to the word ‘loin,’ when 
applied to beef, because a King of England, in a freak of good hu 
mor, once conferred the honor of knighthood upon a loin of beef. 


Slack, to loosen, to relax, to deprive of cohesion. 


Soda, an alkali, usually obtained from the ashes of marine plants. 

To Spade, to throw out'earth with a spade. ; 

Spermaceti, an oily substance, found in the head of a species of whale, 
called the spermaceti whale. - 


_ Spindling, see page 124. 


Spinous process, a process or bony protuberance, resembling a spine or 
~ thorn, whence it derives its name. Aa te ‘ 
Spool, a piece of cane or reed, or a hollow cylinder of wood, with a 
ridge at each end, used to wind yarn and thread upon. 
Stamen, (plural stamens and stamina,) in weaving, the warp, the 
_ thread, any thing made of threads. In botany, that part of a flow-. 
er, on which the artificial classification is founded, consisting of the 
filament or stalk, and the anther, which contains the pollen, or 
fructifying powder. sii 
Stigma, (plural stigmas and stigmata,) the summit or top of the pistus 
‘of a flower. +n 
Style, or Stile, the part of the pistil between the germ and the stigma, 
Sub-carbonaie, an imperfect carbonate. act - 
Sulphates, Sulphats, Sulphites, salts formed by the combination of 
some base with sulphuric acid, as. Sulphate of copper, (blue vitrio}, 
or blue stone,) a combination of sulphuric acid with copper. 
Sulphate of iron, copperas, or green vitriol. Sulphate of lime, gyp- 
sum, or plaster of Paris. Sulphate of magnesia, Epsom salts. 
Sulphate of potash, a chemical salt, composed of sulphuric acid and 
potash. Sulphate of soda, Glauber’s salts. Sulphate of zinc, white 
vitriol. - 


 Sulphuret, a combination of an alkaline earth or metal with su. 


368° | Gutsdany: 


as, Sulphuret of tron, a combination of iron and sulphur. 
Sulphuric acid, oil-of vitriol, vitriolic acid. = 
Suture, a sewing ; the uniting of parts by stitching; the seam or joint 


which unites the flat bones of the skull, which are notched like ee 


teeth of a saw, and the notches, being united together, present the 
Sr a 


appearance of a seam. . ‘ 





Tartar, a substance, deposited on the inside of “wine casks, consisting ' 
~ chiefly of tartarie acid and potass. Cream.of tartar, the crude tar- 
tar separated from all its impurities, by-being dissolved in water and 
Pe 


then crystallized, when it becomes a perfectly white powder. __ 


- Fartaric acid, a vegetable acid which exists in the grape. io a 


Technology, a description of the arts, considered generally, in their 


theory and practice, as connected with moral, political, and physical — . 


science. ae 
Three great Jewish yearly festivals, see Festivals. 


Three-ply, or triple ingrain, a kind of carpeting, in which the threads 
are woven in such a manner as to make three thicknesses of the cloth. — 


Tic doulourcuz, a painful affection of the nerves, mostly those of the 
face. ea 


Tocqueville, (Alexis de,) a celebrated living statesman and writer ae. 4 


France, and author of volumes on the Political Condition, and the 
Penitentiaries, of the United States, and other works. flan eee 
Trachea, the windpipe, so named (from a Greek word signifying 


rough) from the roughness, or inequalities, of the cartilages of which 


it is formed. 
Truckle-bed, or trundle-bed, a bed that runs on wheels. 
Tuber, a solid, fleshy, roundish root, like the potato. Tuberous, thick 

and fleshy ; composed of, or having, tubers. ar 
Tucks, (improperly tacks,) folds in garments. ; 
Turmeric, the root of a plant called Curcuma longa, a native of the 

East Indies, used as a yellow dye. : 
Twaddle, idle, foolish talk, or conversation. 
Unbolted, unsifted. 


& 


Unslacked, not loosened, or deprived of cohesion. Lime, when it has 3 


been slacked, crumbles to powder, from being deprived of cohesion. 


Valance, the drapery or fringe hanging round the cover of a bed, 
couch, or other similar article. Bree Le: 


Vascular, relating to, or full of, vessels. Re 
Venetian, a kind of carpeting, composed of a striped woollen warp on 

a thick woof of linen thread. 
Verisimilitude, probability, resemblance to truth. 

Verbatim, word for word. 4 
Vice versa, the side being changed, or the question reversed, or th 
terms being exchanged. : 
iscera, (plural of viscus,) organs contained in the abdomen and in 

the chest. : 
Vitriol, a compound mineral salt, of a very caustic taste. Blue vitriol, 


sulphate of copper. Green vitriol, see Copperas. Oil of vitriol, sul- 


phuric acid. © White vitriol, sulphate of zinc. 
Wafle-tron, an iron utensil for the purpose of baking waffles, which 


Washleather, a soft, pliable leather, dressed with oil, and in sucha way, 
that it may be washed, without shrinking. It is used for various 
articles of dress, as under-shirts, drawers, S&c., and also for rubbing 


Fee 
i 


- 


are thin and soft cakes indented by the iron in which they are baked. 








or a ee bara a ati er rete The article Know _ 
a Banos, or shammy, gies is also called wash- — 


a are sewed. te the welt. or order of a garment. 
or Western World. When used 1 in Europe, or in distinc. 
the Eastern World, it means America. . When used in 
mtry, the West refers ‘to the ‘Western States of the Union. 
Wilds, the wild, thinly-settled lands of the Western States. 
gee. Zino.-.  : 
carpet, a kind of carpets, jas in England, and so called from. ; 
lace which is the chief seat of their manufacture, They are 
n velvets, with variegated colors. © — . pes 
lunacy, see Lunacy. Yar 
pe, the wife of Socrates, noted for her violent temper and seen 
propensities. The name is frequently. applies to a shrew, or 
nish, turbulent, scolding woman. : 
L blueish-white. metal, which is used as a feoubewtient of brass, 
ome other alloys. Sulphate of zinc, or White shes a comnbiam: 


of zinc with su oye acid. oa 


© 





AS gr 
Acne of the skin, 93, 119. 
Accidents and antidotes, 240, 
Accounts, 174, 186. “By gil, 188. 
© duis. 31.9. 0 
Africans, diet of, O21. = 
Aur, evils of the ‘want of pure, 91, 
-129, 196, 311. Exercise in the, 
129, 133. For infants, 217, 218. 
“Of ’sick-rooms, 237. Dancing 
in the, 246. See Ventilation. 
Albany Orphan Asylum, 222. 


Alcoholic drinks, 107. See Stim-. 


culating. 








Alton, account of the Monticello | 


Female Seminary at, 54. 

Amaryllis, 335. 

America, anticipations as o 36. 
Conspicuous station of; 36. 


Changeableness. in the con-) 
ditions in, 40, 46, 48,257. La- 


bor in, 147. 

American women, peculiar re- 
sponsibilities of, 25. 
and_ privileges of, 27. Their 
distinct line of duty, 28, 32, 33. 
Influence of, on America, 32, 
33. Their equality, 33. Fan- 
cied wrongs of, 33. Part to be 

acted by, 36. ‘Influence of, in 
the-world, 37, 38.- Difficulties 
peculiar to, 38 ; as housekeep- 


ers, 39, 151, 204; from delicacy |: 
of constitution, ‘Al, 45, 47, 128.-| 
43. |: 


Few perfectly healthy, 
Causes of unhealthy, 43, 128; 
_ mental excitement, 43, their 
sense of their responsibilities, 
- 44; too little out-door exercise, 
44. Bad early training of, 45. 
_ Exposures of, in newly- -settled 
countries, 46. De Tocqueville 


Rights. 


pared, 47. Should. oppos: 


‘ing by, 151. . 
_spent by, for the ornamental, — 
— 1%. 
Mothers, and Women. & 
Amusements, 244, 250. 
Anemone, 335. 0 ~~ ee 
Anger, on silence in, 152. "ee ~~ 


Animal food, 99,100. For youn 


291. See Food. 
Animals, cruelty to, i in ners wt, Yigg 
~" 246. * am 
Annual flowers, 957, < aes e a 


Anthracite coal, 281. -~ wT 
Ants, red and black, 325... 5 
Anxiety, acou tenance of, 1495. 
Appetites, gratification of the, aig’ pe 


Apple trees, preserving: from Jn- oe 


Apportionment of time, 157, 160, 


Aristocracy, English, 27, 123 


‘Arm, muscles af the, 74, 75. 
Arsenic, poisoning from, 242. 
Arteries, tying up, 240. oe 
» Associated charities 178. 


the Rast and 4 in the West, ¢ 


feeling that labor is degra 
61. Precedence given. 
the other sex, 141. House - 
Time: and money. ip 


See Daughters, F emales, S 


7) 


Temper, and Tones. 


~ children , 220. Nourishment of, 








171,172. Rulevas to, 184.” 
sects, 350. ae 
181. 


By regular division of et: 
work, 162. ~Jewish, 181.. 


The prejudice of, as to "labor, a 
61, 123. Distinguishing mark 
of, 123. On aping the, 124, 
Courtesy of, limited, 139. “Man- 
ners of democracy and, 146. 
On .economy among the, 194 - 
Domestics of, 205. | aa 


Aas 





RieoniaGonig in Winois, for shia 
ting poor females,59. For ed- 
—ucation at large, 203. 

; Aste lamps, 282. 


Bri, 

Bkck-dnor accommodations, 276. 

Baglivi, on health-during Lent, 
10 


0. 
- Balls, O47, 248, 
argains, on making, 190, 194. 
Baskets, 321. For “centre tables, 
354. 
Bath, on using the, 120. 
9 oy infants, 217. See Wash- 


“ 


Be eto0ms, 276. 

‘Beating down prices, 190,194. 

Beaumont, Dr., experiments by, 
on the digestibility of food, 104, 
note. 

Beauty, effect of exercise on, 132. 

Bed-bugs, 323. 

Bedrooms, care of, 311. 

Beds and bedding, 114, 313,329. 
ere 287. On making, 


Beef’: s-gall, uses of, 286, 289, To 
prepare, 292. 
Bell, Sir Charles, on nerves, 129. 


Monk Oba Be nn ae ee 9 Cael a 
"adi Geass gy 


INDEX. 





Benevolence, happiness of, 131. 


See Charity. 
Bile, 89. 
Bituminous coal, 281. 
Black ants, 323. 
Black tea, 110. 
Bleeding at the lungs, 243. 
Blindness, guarding against, 217, 
283 


Blisters, on dressing, 238. 

Blood, details as to the circulation 
of the, 83. Effect of daylight 
on the, 124; of exercise, 132. 

~ Crowded to the brain, when one 

is excited, 195. When a cause 
of mental disease, 196. Stop- 

ping, 240,243. When dancing, 
246. See Circulation. 

Blood-vessels, 81. | 

Blows on the head, 241. 

Boardingshouses, plan as to ex- 
penses of, 186. 

Boarding schools, curvature of 
the spme common at, 41. See 
Female seminaries. 


‘ 


Boards for ironing, 294. 

Body, change and renovation of 
the, 91. Connection of mind 
and, 195. See Mind.” 

Boldness in domestics, 209. 

Bones, described, 69. 

Books, on teaching domestic econ 
omy from, 65. 

Bosom-boards, 294. ; 

Boston, scientific and literary ad- 
vantages in, 147. 

Bowels, 235, 237, note. 

Boys, small, made useful, 164. 
Domestic arts taught to, 164. 
See Children. 

Brain, excitement of. the, 195. 
Over-action of the, 197. 

Breakfast, 103. On late, 127. 
On the care of, and of dining: 
rooms, 306. 

Broadcloths, cleansing, 289. 

Broken limbs, 240. 

Brown linens, washing, 288. 

Bruises, 240. . 

Budding, |] hints on, 342. - 

Bulbs, 335 

Bulwer’ s novels, 234, 

Burne, Dr., cited, 235. 

Burns, treatment ‘of, 241 

Buttonholes, 324. 

Byron, Lord, 200, 201. 


C. 

Cakes, keeping till meal time, 223. 

Calicoes, washing, 286, 287. ‘Tron-~ 
ing, 255, 

Calisthenics, 56, 247. 

Candles, 281. .To make, 283. 

Caps for infants, 217. . 

Carpets, hints as to, 302. 

Carving, 310. 

Castle building, 199: 

Cathartics, 235, 237. 

Catholics, health of, during Lent, 
100. 

Cellars, vegetables m dark, 124, 
, On the care of, 322. 

Chambers, care of, OLE Couches 
for, 312. Furniture for, Side © 

Wa De attention to, at school, 
5&8. Dependence of happiness 
on, 169. _Self-denying benevo 
lence of Christ’s, 169. 

Charcoal, 242, 281. -- 

Charity, 131. On giving in, 158 


“th Cee ee 
Ve a 


ae 


Difficulty respecting, 167. Gen 


eral principles respecting, 168. || Climbing plants, 339. 


Objects for receiving, 176. For 
souls of men, 177. By furnish- 


ing the poor with means of || 


earning support, 178. Associa- 
tions for, 178. Indiscriminate 
bestowal of, 178. Benefit of 
tracts in distributing, 179. On 


judging of other people’s, 130:4/- 114,115. Of men and women, Bs, 
compared, 115.. Example of 


Union of, with social enjoy- 
ments, 184. 

Cheap articles, hints on, 190, 194. 

. Children, washing, 121,122. Liv- 


ing in the dark, 124. Early re- |} 


tiring and rising of, 126. Cul- 
tivation of good manners in, 
141,142. Too great familiarity 
with, 143, 226. Should ac- 


143; ask leave to use others" 
articles, 143; avoid wounding 
others’ feelings, i438. To be 
taught to keep silence, 145, 230.- 
Do not surround with too maniy |, 
rules, 145. On making allow- 


ances for, 154. Waiting on, 163 ! Cold and hot, food, 103. , Drinks, ( 
ie TOS 


On making useful, 163, 959. 


knowledge acts of kindness, | 





Cleadsiag articles, 208. si 


Closets, of conveniences, 
Sliding, 278. For washing 


306. In kitchens, 322. 3 


Clothing and ad oi 112. Defi- Pex 
ciencv of, 113, 129. Excess of, — 


114. Ruleas "to, 114, Flannet, 
‘English women as to, 117. On 
changing, next to the body, 120. 


On inconsistent, 189. On wash- 
ing, 235. lroning, 295. Whiten- 


ing, 296. Cleansing, 298. — = 


Coloring, 300. See Dress, ae 
Tight dressing - 
Coal, 281. 
Coats, on folding, 315. : 
Cobalt, poisoning from, 242. : 
Cockroaches, 323. ss 
| Coffee, see Tea. 


Effect of, on infants, 114. - 


On paying, for services, 164, || Collecting of specimens, 253. 
230%. On giving younger, to ; Colleges, on the endowment of, 


older, 165. Precocity In, 198. | 
Eating too often, 223.: To be 
guarded as to honesty, deceit, 





51. On physicians in, 198. 
Colors, coloring and, 300. For 
different complexions, 5 athe 


and running in debt, 232. Shar- | Combe, Andrew, on drinks, 111. 


ing fruits and flowers, 251. See 
Boys, Female, Girls, a and Young 
children. 

Chimneys, smoky, 352. 

Christ’s character, 169. 

Christianity, principles of, identi- 
cal with democratic, 25, 34. 

Churches, ill-ventilated, 196. 

Chyle, 89. Converted into arte- 
rial blood, 90. From animal 
and other food, 99: 

Cincinnati, education in, 148. 

. Circulation, in the skin of infants, 
113. Effect of cold on, 113, 
118, 119. See Blood. 

Clark, Dr., on animal diet for 
very young children, 220. 

Cleaning carpets, 303. 

Cleanliness, on realizing the im- 
peemee of 118. Of the sick, 


On exercising the brain, 199. 
On infants, 214. On animal 
food, 221. - 

Complexions, colors for the differ- 
ent, 327. 

Condiments in food, 99. 

Constipation, 235, 237, note. 

Constitution, delicacy of i in Amer- 
ican females, 41, 45, 47; causes 
of it, 45, 128. On early attention 
to the, "49. Duties of wealthy 
mothers, respecting their chil- 
dren’s, 50. Effect of stimula 
ting drinks on the, 107. 

Conveniences, on providing, 162. 
For cooking, 319. See Closets. 


Convivial meetings, on exposures oe 


after, 119, 247. 
Cooking, food made unhealthy by. 


99,101. Conveniences wante ted ' 


for, 319. . 
D. E. 


utensils, 285. In eating-rooms, 


Cold, on exposure to, 113, 118 





Girls buying their own, 188. - 






Cooper, Sir Astley, cited, 195. 
Corrosive sublimate, poisoning 
from, 241... ae et 
Corsets, 116. 

Couches, cheap, 312. 


INDEX. 


Bulk of food necessary to, 10%. 

Impeded by bathing, 121. 
Dining-rooms, care of, 306. 
Dinner, setting table for, 309. 
Dirt not healthy, 118. 


Courtesy, want of 137,141; causes || Dish-cloths, 317. 


of it, 138, 148.. See Democracy. 

- Cows, to take care of, 352. 

Creeping of infants, 219. 

Cribs for infants, 218. 

Crickets, 323. 

Crockery, 319. 

Crocus, 335. 

Crown Imperial, 335. 


- Cruelty in amusements, 244, 246. 


Crying of infants, 219. 
Curculios, 351. 
Currants, 348, 350. 
Curtains, 302, 304. 
‘Curvature, see Spine. 

- Cuts, remedies for, 240. a 
Cutting and sewing, 324, 328. 
Cuvier, cited, 220. 


D 

Daffodils, 336. 

Dahlias, 336.- 

Dancing, 245, 246. 

Daughters, on schooling, 48. On 
keeping, as domestic assistants, 
60. Educated to domestic work, 
67. See Female, and Girls. 

Day, on converting into night, 
123. Influence of, on vegeta 
bles and blood, 124. 

Debt, on running into, 232. 

Democracy, principles. of, identi- 
cal with Christian, 25, 34. Ten- 
-dencies of, as to the female sex, 
27. On progress towards, 34. 
On what the success of, de- 
pends, 36. Of early rising, 123. 
Courtesy of manners and, 138, 
140, 146. 

Derangement, from over-excite- 
ment, 197. 

Diet, see Food. 

Difficulties, peculiar to American 
women, 38. On estimating 
them justly, 39,151. Remedies 
for, 48, 151. 

Digestion, organs of respiration 


Dishes, on washing, 318. 

Dolls, benefits from, 254. 

Domestic amusements, 244. 

Domestic exercise, 128. _ 

Domestic Economy, on raising, as 
a science, 50, 67. Reasons for 
introducing, into school, 63. On 
teaching, trom books, 65. In- 
dispensable part of education, 
134. 


Domestic education, importance 


of, in childhood, 43. On early 
training in, 49, 60,67. On giv- 
ing mornings to, 49. In the 
Monticello Female Seminary, 
54. Should alternate with stud- 
ies, 60. Sufferings for want of, 
63. Many mothers unqualified 
to teach, 65. Dignity of, 67,135. 


Domestics, peculiar difficulties as 


to, in America, 40,204. Duties 
to be done by daughters, and not 
by, 50. Blessmg of a dearth 
of, 50. Without, 64. Ongmak- 
ing allowances for, 154, 210, 
212. Care of, 204. Of aristo- 
cratic lands, 205, Placing our- 
selves in their situation, 205, 
206. . Exorbitant wages of, 205. 
Instability and discontent of, 
and the remedy, 206. Pride 
and insubordination of, and the 
remedy, 207, 208. On calling 
them servants, 207. Admitted 
to the table, 209. Bold and for- 
ward, 209. Dress and rooms 
of, 209, 210. Deficiencies of, 
and the remedies, 210. Getting 
away, 211. Finding fault with, 
211. Patience with, 212. Re- 
gard to, in construction of 
houses, 261. Beds for, 315. 

Doors, outside, 260, 263. 

Dress, too much attention to, 166. 
Inconsistency in, 189. Of do- 
mestics, 209. See Clothing. 


and, 87. Details respecting, 94. || Dresses, for the domestic duties of 


Articles easiest for, 101, 104. 
Experiments respecting, 104. 


school girls, 55. Colors for, 327. 
See Clothing. 


Drink, during meal-time, 103. 
Drinks, on healthful, 106. a 
Drowning, 241. 
Dumb-waiters, 278, 306. 


Dusting, 304, 306. 
Duties, - enjoyments 
with, 183. 


‘ 


aka 

Early rising, 122. 
123. Reasons for, 124. Time 
for, 126. Longevity and, 126. 
Effects of, on a family, 126; en 
the community, 127; on sys- 
tematic duty, 106. 

Earthen ware, 319. 

Hating, intemperance mn, 94, 95. 
At any time, 96... Too fast, 101. 
Should not be followed by ex- 
ercise, 102; nor bathing, 121. 

_ See Food. 

Eating-rooms, care of, 306. 

Economy, on domestic, 152. Ex- 
travagance changed for, 176. 
Contradictory | ideas as to, 185. 
General principles as to, 186. 

. Relative obligations of rich and 
poor as to, 191. Neglect as to, 
193. Of the aristocracy, 194. 

Education in America, 147, Ass- 
so@fations for, 203. See Female, 

- and Monticello. 

Employment, for the different di- 
visions of a week, 162. On reg- 
ular, for all the family, 163. 

Enjoyments, see Amusements, and 
Happiness. 

Equality, on democratic, 25. See 
Democracy, Sexes, and Wo- 
men. 


Establishments, expensive, given 


up, 176 

Exercise, comparative, of Ameri- 
can women and others, 44. 
Neglect of, 50, 244, Method 
for securing, at the Monticello 
Female Seminary, 54. Indis- 
pensable to the health of the 
several parts ,of the human 
frame, 73, 97. Of the muscles, 
76, 78, 97, 116, 128, 129. Ef- 
fect of want of, on the spine, 
78, 80. Food to be graduated 
by, 97. After eating, bad, 102. 
Evils of want of, 129. On fur- 
nishing interesting, 131. Walk- 


_- INDEX. 


connected || Exhalations from the aie 92. am 





Democratie, 





Female association for educating 





.. a ie a ha hea) ob ae fed its oat See ee bagiatell So 2) 5 
“ ~s ‘ , Sa x b = aa 2 














- ing for, 131. ne usef 
/ ments, 131. Exces 
Rule as to, 133. On exces 
of the mind and- ‘feeling 
Of the brain, 199. 





Expenses, on keeping acco 
473, 174, Economy i in, 185, 
On ‘graduating, by the incon 
186. On gentility in being car 
less of, 193. On. extravagan 
in, 194. See Economy. : 

Eyes, screening, from adie oh 217, 
283. ps 


’ A ig ie: an 

Family, on early rising ‘in. the, 

126. . Fathers neglecting the, 

255. On attachments of, 256. 
Fasting in sickness, 235. may 
Fathers neglecting home, 255, 
Fault-finding, 211. | Fi ie” 
Featherbeds, - 114, 313. «44 
Feelings, inactivity of the, 199. ‘ 
Feet, on protecting the, 115, 117, + 


129. Keeping those of. infants, . 
warm, 217. Batine for a 
cold, 235...” 


poor females, 59. 

Feinale education, advantages for, 
in America, 43. Objects to be 
attended to, in, 48, 49. Impor- 
tance of mathematies in, 56. 
Should be conducted by fe-— 
males, 58. Present waste in 
conducting, 60. See School. 

Female seminaries, on the endow: 
ment of, 51. “Importance of, 52. 
Defects of, 53. Suitable, 53. 
Monticello Female Seminary, 
described, 54. Division of la 
bor and "responsibility in, 58. 
Requirement for admission to — 
the Monticello, 59. On _ pro- 
viding, 61, 68. Reasons for in- — 
troducing the study of domestic — 
economy into, 63. Establish- 
ment of, by a wealthy female 
202. Should have gardens, 
201. 

Females, influence of, on the char- 
acter of the young, 37. Building. 
schoolhouses, 202. See Ameri-— 
can women, Girls, and Women 

Filberts, 348. ‘ 


£ 






a Finding fault; 211. 
Finger nails, 129. 144. 





Fire, escaping from, 243. 


se Fireplaces and fires, 260, 265, 280, 


311. 
Fishing, 244, 
Wermcl 114. Utility of, 115. On 
‘ washing, 285, 286. 
Fleas, 323. 
Flies, on destroying, 323. 


_ Flower baskets, 354. 


Flower seeds, on planting, 332. 

Flowers, 251, 335. - Arranging, 
337. 

Fluids, on taking, 103, 104. 


Folding articles, 315. 


Follicles of the skin, 93. 

Food, on the conversion of, into 
nourishment, 87. Responsibili- 
ty as to, in a family, 94. On 
taking too much, 94, 95, 128. 
On one kind of, for each ‘meal, 
95. Should be taken at proper 
times, 96. Strong laboring men 
need most, 96._ Quantity. of, to 
be graduated by exercise, ‘97. 
On the quality of, 98. _Stimula- 
ting, 99. Animal and vegetable, 
99, 100, 220, 221. Kinds of, most 
easily digested, 101, 104; 105. 
{njurious, from bad cooking,101. 
On eating, too fast, 101, 128. 
On exercise after taking, 102. 
On hot and cold, 103.. Highly 
concentrated, 104. Certain bulk 
of, necessary to digestion, 105. 
For infants, 214, 216. For 
nurses, 215. Sickness from im- 
proper, 235. Preparing, for the 
sick, 239. 

Footstools, 303. 

Foreigners, employed as j Aemes- 
tics, 40. 

Forewarning domestics, 211. 

Forwardness of domestics, 209. 

Franklin, Benjamin, diet of, 222. 

Frocks, to make, 326. 

Fruit, on the cultivation of, 251, 
347. To preserve, 350. 

Fuel, hints as to, 280. 

Furnaces, 260, note. 

Furniture, on costly, 163, 167. 
On inconsistent, 188. On se- 


lecting, 302. Packing of, for 


moving, 316. Kitchen, 319. 


INDEX, 


G. 
Games of children, 253. 
Garden seeds, to plant, 333. 
Gardening, 331. 
Gardens, “at female institutions, 
201. On laying out, 334. 
Gas, antidote for, 249. 


| Gastric juice, 88, 94. 


Gathering, in shirts, 325. 

Girls, on sending, to.school, 48, 60 
Should assist their mothers ear- 
ly, 49. Education of, at the 
Monticello Female Seminary, 
54. Confinement of, in school, 
133. Small, made useful, 164. 
Forming habits of system, 167; 
of making purchases and keep- 
ing accounts, 188. Effects of ex- 
citement on, 197. Taking care 
of infants by, 214. See Daugh- 
ters, and Females. 

Gladiolus, 335. 

Gloves, cleansing, 298. 

Godfrey, Benjamin, Female Sem- 
inary endowed by, 54. 

Gooseberries, 348, 350. 

Gothic cottage, o71, 

Government of children, 226. 
Unsteadiness in, and over-gov- 


ernment, 228. Maxims on, 229. 
See Children, Subordination, 
and Young children. 

Grafting, 344. 

Grapes, 349, 350 

Grates, 281. 


Gratifications, on physical, 159, 
171, 172. 

Grease- -spots, 289, 297, 298. In 
carpets, 304. 

Greeks and Romans, bathing by 
120. 


Habit, in a system of duty, 166. 

Handkerchiefs, cleansing, 298. 

Happiness, dependence of, on 
character, 169. On living to 
make, 169, 200. Connected 
with duties, 183. 

Hard-soap, to make, 291. 

Head, blows on the, 241. 

Headache, 78, 95. 

Health, delicacy and infrequenc y 
of, in American women, 41, 45 

| Effect of mental excitement on 


INDEX. 


43; of a high sense of responsi- 
bility, &e.. 445 of want of out- 


door exercise, 44; of bad early 


training, 45 ; 
newly-settled 


of exposures in 
countries, 46. 


On preparation for a rational ||. 
care of, in a family, 68, 69. |; 


Connection of exercise and, 73, 
76, 78, 97, 133; of the quantity 
Wal food and, 94, 95, 100; of the 


quality, 98. Of Catholics dur- || 


ing Lent, 100. Not from dirt, 
118. Effect of early rising on, 
125. On the duty of sacrificing, 
159. Causes which injure the 
mind’s, 196. Amusements and, 

— 245. 

_ gard to, in constructing houses, 

. 260. Ventilation and, 311. Con- 
nection of, with cellars, 322. 
See Air, Exercise, and Sick- 
ness. 

Hearths, 305 

Hearts, different, 84. Cause of 
their throbbing, 90. 


Heat of the body, regulated by abe 


skin, 92. 
Heating houses, 260. 
Help, see Domestics. 
Helping at table, 310. 
Herbaceous roots, 339. 
Horse-racing, 245, 246. 
Horses, care of, 351. 
Hose, on washing, 286, 289. 
Hospitality, on manifesting, 144. 
To strangers, 257. 





I 


Laughter and, 253. Re- | 


Hot and cold food and See 


103, 110. 
Hot-beds, 33l. 
House-cleaning, 353. 


Housekeepers, difficulties peculiar || 


to American women as, 30. 
Preservation of good temper in, 
148, 150. Allowances to be 
made for, 150. Necessity of 
a habit of system and order 
m, 157. General principles 
for, 158. Plans by, for sav- 
ing time, 184. See American 
women. 

Housekeeping, on a knowledge 
of, 134. Dignity and difficulty 
of, 150, 157.) See Labor. 


House- -plants, to repot, J33. Care. 


of, 341. 
32* 















Houses, on the construc 
208. Regard to economy 
bor in, 258; to water, 259, | 
to heating, 260; to econom: 
health, 260; to ’ domestics, { ne 
to good taste, 261. Plans 
of domestic convenience 
Shade-trees around, 275. 
door accommodations to, 27 : 
Hunger, 94, 132. Asa guide 1 
taking food, 97. a: 
Hunting, 244" 
Hyacinths, 330. ~ 


Se he 


| Iinois, female hanenaiene in, lor — 
educating poor females, ed 
See Alton.~ 
Imagination, 199. Works of, 249, 
See Novel reading. A 
| lmpostors, soliciting charity, 178. = 
Impurity of thought, 83.4 Oke 
Income, see Expenses. . 
Indigestion, 101. See Health ae 
Infants, mortality among, 112, 
114, 214. _ Too cold, 113. 
Plunging, in cold water, 113. 
Registrations of, 113. On giv- 
ing, to. the older children, 165. 
Use of, to elicit charity, 179. 
Importance of knowing how to | 
take. care of, 213. Combe, 
- Bell, and Eberle on, cited, 214. 
Food for, 214, 216, 218. ‘Med- 
icinés for, 215, 216, 218, 219.. 
Pure air for, 217, 218. Keep- “a 
ing’ warm, 217, 218. Keeping , 
their heads cool, 217. Bathing, = 
217, 218: Nostrums for; 219. 3 
Unquiet, 219.. To creep, 219 3 
Standing, 219, Crying, a 
See Children, and iy 
Ingrafting, 344. 
Ink-stains, 298. 

Insects, on destroymg, 323. Sede 
serving apple trees from, 350... 
Institutions, see Female seminar 

ries, and School. 
Intelligence, dependence of dar 
mocracy on, 36. — 
Intemperance, H. Martineau on, a 
_eriticized, 30, note. In eating, 
94,95. In drinking, 106. Fe. 
male responsibility as to, a: 
Invitations, ones 


4 


D. Ee . 







; ironing, articles to be provided for, 
293. Settee for, 293. Boards 
for, 294. Hints on, 295. 


_Tron-ware, 319. 


meat 
chet 


Jewish use of time, 182. 


_ Jokes, 253. 
__ Jonquilles, 335. 


* 


aa Kitchens, 163, 259., On taking 


_ care of, 317. Floors of, 317. 
Oilcloths 
for, 319. % 

Knitting, to employ time, 185. 

Knives and forks, 307. 


for, 317. Furniture 


we, L. 

Labelling powders, 239. 

Labor, nobility of, 55, 147. On 
opposing the idea of the degra- 
dation of, 61, 123, 124. Not. 

- inconsistent with delicacy, 62. 
On economy of, in houses, 258. 


_ Laces, ree of, 292. 


Lamps, 281. Care of, 282. . 
Laplanders and their food, 220. 
Lard, used for oil, 251. 
Latticed portico, 277. 


~ Laughter, 253. 


Laws, necessity of a system of, 25. 

Leghorn hats, 299. 

Lent, health during, 100. 

Ley, to make,290. 

Life, object of, 168. 

Light, effects of, 124. Screening 
eyes from, 217, 283. 

Lightning, 243. 

Lightning rods, 243. 


~ Lights, 281. 


Limbs of trees, on training, 348. 

Linens, 288, 328. 

Linneeus, cited, 220. 

Liquids, on taking, 103, 104. 

Literature, guarding, 249. 

Longevity, Sinclair on, 
From vegetable diet, 221. 


126. 


Louis XIV., manners of his age, 


148. 

Lungs, 89. Effects of tight-dress- 
ing on the, 90, 117: . Bleeding 
at the, 243. 

Luxuries, see Superfluities. 


) = 


~ INDEX. 


M. 

Mahogany furniture, 305. 

Manners, good, 136. Amet:can 

defect in, and cause of it, 137, 

Of the Puritans and their pos 

terity, 137. _ Principles respect- 

mg, 140. Proprieties in, 141 

On cultivation of, 141. At 

home, 142. Leading points as 

to, claiming attention, 142. 

Children to be taught, 143. On 

conventional, 144. At -table, 

144. Charity for bad, 145. Of 

the age of Louis XIV., 148. 

See Children. 

Marble, stains on, 305. 

Martineau, Harriet, criticized, 30, 
note, 141, note. 

Mathematics, importance of, in a 
female education, 56. 

Mattresses, 312, 329. er 

Meals, should be five hours apart, 
96. . On the nature of the, 103 
Time of English, 123. 

Meat, on eating, 99, 100. See 
Animal food, and Food. 

Mechanical amusements, 254. 

Medical men needed in literary 
institutions, 198. 

Medicines, on giving, to infants, 
215. On administering, 236, 
238. . Different effects of dif- 
ferent, 236. On purchasing, 
239. Labelling, 239. 

Men, engaged in women’s 
164, 165. . 

Mending, 330. 

Mental excitement, effect of, on 
health, 43. On reducing youth- 
ful, 48, 49. On invigorating, 
56. Effect of, on the mind, 
197. See Mind. : 

Mexicans, teeth of, 110. 

Mice, 323. 

Mildew, removing, 296. 

Milk, for infants, 216, 217. 

Milkweed-silk, 227. 

Mind, connection of body and, 
195. Causes which injure the 
health of the, 196. On inactiv- 
ity of, 199. Indications of dis- 
eased, 204. See Health, and 
Mental excitement. 3 

Mineralogical collections, 253. 

Modesty in children, 233. 


work, 


) 


Mo: ey, children’s earning, 164. 
Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, || 
_ sited, 135. 

Monticello Female. Seminary, ac- 

count of, 54. System of stud- 
ies there, 57. Effort made 
there to cure defects of char- 
acter and habits, 58. 

Morals, American, ‘99, Depend- 
ence of democracy on, 36. At- 
tention to, in the Monticello 
Female Seminary, 58. In chil- 
dren, 233. See Children, and 
Young children. 

Mortality, among infants, 112, 
114. Causes of it, 214. At 
the Albany Orphan Asylum, 
222. See Infants. 

Mothers, sufferings of American, 
42. The great objects for, in 
educating their daughters, 48. 
Influence of wealthy, 50. 
Should raise the science ~ of 
domestic economy, SI. Few, 
qualified to teach domestic 
economy, 65. Influence of, 
149, 151. Teaching boys do- 
mestic artsy164. See American 
women, and Women. 

Moths, 323. 

Muscles, 74. Exercise of the, 
76, 78, 97, 116, 129.. Excessive 
exercise of, 132. 

Music, 58, 952. 

Muslins, on washing, 288. Starch- 
ing, 292. 

Musquitoes, 323. 


N. 

Nails, cleaning, 122, 144. - 

Nankeens, on washing, 288. 

Napkins, table, 307. 

Narcissus, 335. 

Nash, Beau, biography of, 148. 

Neatness, in house-keeping, 152. 
Of sick-rooms, 238. Sce Clean- 
liness. 

Needle-work, bad economy in,189. 

Nerves, 76. Ramifications of the, 
78. Health of, dependent on 
muscular exercise, 78, 130. 
Function of, in the stomach, 
87. Excited by - stimulating 
drinks, 106, 111. Two kinds 
of, 129. On cutting off, 130. 


: 2 


I I a CE IE EE TL SLIP EE IDET, SETI II ES LEAL TO 


INDEX. 


Night, converting, into. day, 123. | 
-Night-gowns, 114, 329. 


Nursery, soil for a, 347. 


‘Pain, amusements causing, 244, 








‘Bxercise and inactivity o ) 

Debility of, 130, 199. 
New Englanders, one cause 

their tact, 165. _ , 
Newton, Sir Isaac, diet. of, 229.. 


ae 
Night-lamps, 283. aa 
Novel reading, 199, 234, 249, 
Nursery, discipline of "the, 24 
2390. “1 es 


Nursing, on food while, 215. Of oa 
the sick, 237. = } 


oe < 2 j weit, 
Obedience of children, 226. See 
Children, and Government. 
Objects of charity, 176. : 
Oil, 281. Taking out, 297. 
Oilcloths, for kitchens, 317. 
Opium, absorbed by the skin, 93. 
Antidote for, 242. 
Order, on a habit of, 157. 
Ornaments, 166. Time and mon- 
ey spent for, 175, 259. ; 
Orphan Asylum at Albany, 222. 
Ostrich feathers, washing, 299. 
Outhouses, 276. 
Over-government, 228, 229, one 
‘ Children, and. Governmenti 


Pt 
Packing, of trunks, 316. of fare 


niture for moving, 316. 


Paint-spots, 298. 
Pantaloons, on mending, 330. 
Parents, exercising of authority 
by, 226, Should provide amuse- 
ments, 250. Joming in chil- 
dren’s sports, 204. . 
Parlors, kitchens and, 163, 259. 
Light work in, to save time, 184. 
Inconsistently. furnished, 189, 
On the eare of, 302, On select- 
ing furniture for, 302. oo 
ing, 305. Sereens in, 353. - 
Parties, invitations to, 353. @ 
Passions, the, 170. See Temper, « 
Peach trees, 350. 2 
Perennial plants, 339. Ba ete 
Peristaltic motion, 87, 96,102. ° 
Perspiration, 92, 93.’ Demands - Pe 
supply of food, 96. From exer= — 









sleep, 126. On inducing, 235, 


Physical education, see Exercise, 
and Health. ; ; 

Physicians, obeying, 239. 

Piano, playing on the, 202. 


Pictures, 302, 304. 
Pills, 236, 237, note. 
Pitch, on removing, 297. 


Plans, for apportioning time, 158, 
160. For duties, 162, 166, 167. 
For saving time, 184. For ex- 
penses, 186. Of houses, 261. 

Planting flower seeds, 332. 

Plants, collecting, 253. In rooms 
with stoves, 281. Soil for, 
331. Propagation of, 341. See 
Flowers, and Seeds. 

roisoning, 241. 

woliteness, see 
Manners. | 

Poor, Mosaic laws as to the, 182. 
On work for the, 189, 190. 
Liberal prices and prompt pay- 

_ ment to the, 191. See Charity. 

Pores, closing the, 119. See Skin. 

Portico, latticed, 277. 


Courtesy, and 


Positions, effects of, 73, 80. 


Potash-soap, 291. 


_ Pot-plants, soil for, 331. 


Pots, transplanting from, 333. 
Powders, labelling, 239. 
Precocity in children, 198. 
Privies, 276. 

Propagation of plants, 341. 


' Propensities, 170. 


Property, Jews’ use of, 182, -Un- 
equal distribution of, 191. On 
sharing, 191. On using, prop- 
erly, 193. 

Pruning, 346. 

Pumps, 275. 

Punctuality; and want of it, 128. 
In paying the poor, 191. 

Purchases, on making, 193, 194. 


- Puritans, manners of the, 137. 


Q. 
Quality of food, 98. 
Quantity of food, see Food. 


| R. 
Ranunculus, 335. 
Rats, 323 


INDEX. 


: “ese, healthful, 114. During }! Red ants, 323. 


Registrations of births, 113. 


|| Religion, perversion of, 198. 


Religious excitement, 197. 

Respect, American want of, 139, 
141. Should. be required at 
home, 142. See Courtesy. 

Respiration, organs of, 87. 

Rewards, governing by, 230. 

Roman Catholics, health of, dur- 
ing Lent, 100. 

Romans, see Greeks. 

Rooms, arrangement of, 259. 

Running into debt, 232. 


St. Martin, Alexis, experiments 
on, respecting food, 104. 

Salary, plan as to using, 186. » 

Salt, for bleeding, 243. 

Salts, 236. 

School, hints on, 48, 223. Too 
much. required in, 49. On 
keeping, only in the afternoon, 
49. On sending young chil- 
dren to, 223. 

Schoolrooms and_ schoolhouses, 
133. Not ventilated, 196, 223. 
Built by a lady in the West, 
202. See Female. 

Scolds, 149, 154. 

Scotch Highlanders, 221. - 

Screens, in parlors, 353. See Eyes. 

Secret vice, 233. 

Sedgwick, Miss, her Live and 
Let Live, 213, note. 

Seeds, on planting, 332, 333. Of 
fruit, on planting, 347. 

Self-denial, happiness of, 169. 
Distinction as to, 170. Of 
wealthy women, 201, 202. In 
children, 224, 232. 

Servants, on calling domestics, 
207. See Domestics. 

Services, paying children for, 164. 

Settees for ironing, 293.. ‘ 

Setting tables, 307. Rules for, 
308. } 

Sewing, by girls, 254. Hints on, 
324 


Sewing-trunks, 162: 

Sexes, M. De Tocqueville on the, 
28. Distinct lines of action for 
the, 28, 32, 33. American 
equality of, 33. 


i: Shade-trees, 275, 340. 


ae Shrubs, for yards, 340. 





Shells, collecting, 253. 
Shirts, folding, 315. Making, 
328. 
Sickness, on ignorance and 1 inex- 
perience in time of, 68. On} 
nursing in, 237. From chills 
and food, 239. Remedies for 
slight, 240. See Health. 
Sick-rooms, hints on, 237. Fur- 
niture for, 238. 
Silence, children to keep, 145 
230. . When in anger, Li 
Silks, on cleansing, 298. 
Sinclair, Sir John, on longevity 
and early rising, 126. 
Sinks, 277, 317. 
Six Weeks on the Loire, cited, 
_ 135. : 
Skeleton, ent of the, 70. 
Skin, described, 91. Function of 
the, a1. Waste matter from 
~ the, 92, 118. \ Regulates the 
heat of the body, 92. Absorb- 
ent vessels of the, 93, 119. -Fol- 
-licles of the, 93. The organ 
of touch, 93. ~Circulation in 
the, in infants, 113. Effect 
of cold on the circulation in | 
the, 113,118,119. Bathing in- 
fants’, 217, 
Sleep, amount of, perish 125. 
On protracting, 126. 
apartments, 196, 217, 311. 
Ventilation. 
Sliding closets, 273. 
Smoky chimneys, 352. 
Snow, bathing in, 121. - 
Soap, soda, 208. . Soft, 290. . Pot- 
ash, 291. Hard, 291. 
Social intercourse, 184. 
Soda-soap, 288. 
Soda-washing, 287. 
Soil, on the preparation of, 331. 
For a nursery, 347. 
Soups, 104, 105. 
South-Sea Tslanders, 221. 
Specimens, collecting, 253. 
Spine, frequency of the disease 
of the, 4] , causes, 73, 133. Cut 
sof the, 77. Curvature of the} 
80. Difference between a nat- 
ural and distorted, S0. 
Spitting on carpets, 144, 


In close 
See 


E & ‘ 
i) 





































1s ots, removing 
‘Borie, 2160 yee 
Stam-mixture, 296 
Stains, removing, 
296 5 from men le 


Tenet from | es 
Five forms of using, 107. 
sons for using, considered, | 
_ Dr. Combe on, 11]. If. 
for parents, may not be for chil- 
dren, 111. - Compan with an-_ 
imal ‘food, 112. > AR 
Stimulating food, 99. Aen Ar 
mal food, and Food | 
Stock-grafting, 345. 
Stockings, on aching, 286" a: 
Stomach, 87.'. Peristaltic motion 
of the, 87, 96, 102. Effects 0 
of too eh food, 94,95. Rule 
for the labor and. repose of the, 
96. Power of accommodation 
in the, 102. _ Wants rest, 223. _ 
Storerooms, 2ad1, Been: “a 
Stoves, 221. et 
Strangers, hospitality fog 957. ; 
Strawberries, 348. 
Straw hats, 299. - 
Straw matting, 304, Slike a 
Studies, at the Monticello Fem 
Seminary,57. Pursued at 
dom, 60, 68. - ya! : 
Subordination, social, 26. 
male, in «America, 27, 295; 
Of children and others, I. 4 
224. See Government. - 4 
Superfluities, 163. Duty as to, — 
171—173. On determing ie 
specting, 173. ; 
Sweeping, 134. Of carpets, 303. 
Of parlors, 305. . 
Sympathy, on silent social, 14 
System, continual change and — 
renovation of the. be OL ee 


its of, 155. 
week, 162. 
niences, 162. On attempti 
tov much, at once, 166. wld 


bg 









 ANDEX. 


Table, firnitere pet a, 306, On 
Ss tting, 307; rules for, 308. 

. Carving and ‘helping at, 310. 

able manners, 144. 

jle-mats, 300. 

ers, 233, 

r, on removing, 297. 





tie Tea, coffee and, on the use of, 











‘tie ip xood, in a housekeeper, 148; 


Bs 





id 
e 

me Fb 

igi 
f a 


* “sol 


107, 108. ‘Cates nervous a 
mat bility, 109. Love of, not ‘nat- 
Siivad "109. If good for adults, 
may not be for children, 109, 
bi Bleck, least injurious, 110. No 
nourishment i in, 112. See Stim- 
- ulating. ~ 

; ‘Teachers, 202, 203. - 

- Teeth, effects ee hot drink on, 110. 
Care of, 122,144. 


*. ‘Teething of infants, 219. 


‘Temper, on the preservation of 


ints for it, 150. Making al- 
Wiswtiinees: for, in others, 154. 
_ See Passions. 
beapiations,: amusements with, 
245, 248. , 
Tendons, 75 
Theatres, 245, 


ps a Thinning plants, 346. 


Ae 
ar oh 





Thoughts, on pure, 233. 

Throat, things in the, 240. 

Thunderstorms, 243. 

Tic douloureux, 78. 

Tight dressing, 80, 90, 129. Evils 
of, 116. Rule as to, 17 

Time, on apportioning, 157, 160, 
181,184. On saving, 161, 184. 
Errors as to employing, 180. 
Devoted by Jews to religion, 
183. 

Tin ware, 320. 

Tocqueville, M. De, on the sexes 
in America, 28. 
in nations towards democracy, 
34. On female hardships in 
‘the West, 46. On aristocratic 
and democratic manners, 146. 


ee 
Tones of voice, 148. On govern- | 


ing the, 152. Governing by 
angry, 230. Effects of angry, 
on children, 231. 


On progress | 








mencing, while young, 167. | Towels, Seiwa 0 i 903 
CF) oe || Tracts and charity, 179. 


Transplanting, 333, 340. 

Travelling-bags, 316. 

Trees, about houses, 275. bts 
planting, 334. Shade, 340. On 
transplanting, 340. Pruning 
and thinning, 346. - 

Trials, see Difficulties. ; 

Trunks, sewing, 162. In cham 
bers, 313. Packing of, 316. 

Tuberous roots, 335. 

Tulips, 336. R 

Turpentine, on removing, 297. 


U. 
Unbolted fiour, 105. 


Va 
Vegetable food, 99, 100, 220, 221. 
See Animal food, and Food. 
Vegetables, effect of light and 
darkness on, 124. 
Veils, whitening, 293. need 
Ventilation, importance of, 49, 
196, 217, 311. Of sleeping- 
rooms, 129, 196, 31). Of school- 
rooms, 223. Ofsick-rooms, 237. 
- In construction of houses, 261, 
264. Where stoves are used, 
281: See Air. : 
Vermin, on destroying, 323 
Vertebrax, 72. 
Virtue, see Morals. 
Vulgar habits, 144. 


W. 

Wadsworth’s cottage, 273, 274. 

Wages, exorbitant, of domestics, 
205, Offermg higher, 21) 

Waiting at table, 309 eee 

Walking for exercise, 131. 

‘Wardrobes, 312. 

Washing, of clothes done by pu- ~ 
pis, 55. Of the body, 92, 93, 
119,121. Of children, 121,122. 
Water for, 284. -Articles to be 
provided ‘for, 284,. Common 
modeé of, 285, Of calicoes, 287. 
Soda- washing, 207. Of various 
articles, 288. Of carpets, 304. 
Of dishes, 318. See Bathing. 

Wash-pans for children, 121. 

Waste matter, from the skin 2, 
118: 





(INDEX. 


Water, protection against, in the 
skin, 93. On drinking, 111. 


Drinking too much, 112. Plun- |; 


ging infants in cold, 113. See 

_ Drinks, and Stimulating. 

Wealthy mothers, influence of 
their example, 49. 

Wells, remedy for air in, 242. 
Remarks on, 259, 275. 

West, on female hardships in 
the, 46. 

Wheat, unbolted, 105. ae 

Whitening, of lace veils, 293. Of 
other articles, 296. 

Whitewashing, 279. 

Wicks, 282. 

Winter, air and sleep in, 125. 

Women, European contempt for, 
30. American esteem for, 30. 
Influence of, on individuals 
and nations, 37. Exercise taken 
by English, 45. Responsible- 
ness of, 52. Eating without 
being hungry, 98. Responsi- 


bility of, as to intemperance, | 


106.. Precedence given to, in 
America, 141. Importance and 
difficulty of their duties, 155. 
General principles for, 158; 
frequent inversion of them, 160. 


Men engaged in their work, 
164, 165. On their keeping 
accounts of expenditures, 173,. 
174. Imagining themselves do- 
mestics, 205. See Amerivan 
women. 
Wood, for fuel, 280. 
Wooden ware, 321. : 
Woodhouses, 273, 276, 277. 
Woollens, on washing, 289 - 
Workbaskets, 325. 


x, 

Yellows, the, 350. 
Young children, female influence 
on their character, 37. Misman- 
agement of, 43. Management 
of, 42, 220. Animal food for, 220. 
At the Albany Orphan Asylum, 
222. Intellectual. and moral 
training of, 223. Three habits 
for, 224. On distancing, 226. 
On appreciating their enjoy 
ments and pursuits,227. Keep- 
ing them happy, 231. On rid- 
iculing, 231. Modesty and pro- 
priety in, 233. Impurity of 
thought in, 233. 
Young Ladies’ Friend, cited, 134 














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